Decision Making in a Changing Climate - World Resources Institute

113ne• Tools for Planning and Policymaking: What planning, assessment, and analytical toolsare available to help decision makers understand climate-related risks and vulnerability andchoose among available adaptation options?• Resources: What financial, human, ecological, and social resources will be required to craftand successfully implement adaptation plans, policies, and initiatives?To inform its consideration of these five crucial aspects of adaptation decision making,World Resources 2010-2011 engaged leaders from around the world to learn about effortsalready under way to address climate change. More than 100 adaptation experts, public officials,sector-based practitioners, and civil society representatives from more than 30 countriestook part in this effort—one of the largest collaborations to date aimed at derivingcritical lessons for strengthening and scaling up adaptation efforts. This research— availableonline in its entirety at www.worldresourcesreport.org—comprises a considerable archiveof more than 50 expert papers and commentaries, as well as the proceedings of severaldecision-making simulation exercises and roundtables. These insights form the core of theanalysis and guidance presented here. In addition, 12 case studies from around the worldillustrate many of the report’s findings and give examples of innovative approaches, policies,and practices.Urgency of AdaptationInterest in adaptation to climate change impacts has surged in recent years, driven by bothadvances in climate science and real-world events. The world has recently witnessed a seriesof weather events so extreme that they are at the limits of modern human experience. In thesummer of 2010, one-fifth of Pakistan was flooded, affecting 20 million people, inundating thousandsof schools and health centers, and destroying 2.2 million hectares of crops. At almost thesame time, a record heat wave in and around Moscow led to more than 10,000 deaths and extensivepeat bog and forest fires. Roughly one-third of Russia’s grain was lost, driving up food pricesworldwide. In early 2011, torrential flooding submerged an area of Australia the size of Franceand Germany combined while downpours in Brazil triggered mudslides that killed more than 600people, one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters on record.decision making in a changing climate