Harmonized Perspectives - CDKN Global

the population that mightlive in those times 20 years after finalization of the present study, it is likelythat it will occur in less time, the uncertainty of the data is comprehensive and therefore difficult tocalculate when and how much. The Central American coast is likely to be the most affected byphenomena such as hurricanes and storms, however it is already evident the reduction of rainfall andthe change in the pattern of rainfall 104 in these areas.Throughout every process of negotiation and learning, what is Adaptation? 105....... "We are dealing with a global problem and therefore we should all be involved, even the so-calledmega countries will be affected, which is why efforts should be everyone's and from this conventionshould all come out with the thought that the problem belongs to all of us, for this reason we should allbe included in this process without exception".... 106 .The term "adaptation" used in the context of international negotiations refers to the support todeveloping countries so that they can adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change caused bygreenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. However, it is also understood that all countries have toadapt to climate change. Climate change could turn back the developing countries and fall into the trapof poverty, and to ruin the achievements accomplished to this date in connection with the MillenniumDevelopment Goals 107 . Environmental disasters are a reality, and adaptation to climate change - one ofthe 4 topics in the negotiations (the others are mitigation, technology transfer and financing andinvestment) - is something that all countries should do. In the case of the most vulnerable countries,such as the Southern countries, is a necessity."To adapt" means to make more appropriate (or for a purpose) to alter (or modify). "Adaptation" refersto the process of adaptation and the condition of being adapted. The terms have more specificinterpretations in particular disciplines. In climate change literature, numerous definitions have beenproposed. Referring only to the social adaptation to the climate, Burton (1992) defines it as "the processthrough which people reduce the adverse effects of climate on health and wellbeing and takesadvantage of opportunities offered by its climatic environment".Similarly, Smith et al. (1996) argues that "adaptation to climate change includes all adjustments inbehavior or economic structure that reduces the vulnerability of society to changes in the climatesystem". Also referring to human adaptation, Smith (1993) describes “changes, as adjustments toimprove the viability of the economic and social activities and reduce its vulnerability to climate change -both to its current variability and extreme events as well as long-term climate change”. To Stakhiv(1993), the term adaptation means "any adjustment, whether passive, reactive or anticipatory,proposed as a means to mitigate the adverse consequences associated with climate change."Watson etal. (1996) defines adaptation as “the degree to which adjustments are possible in practices, processes orstructures of systems to projected or actual changes of climate” 108 and noting that "adaptation can bespontaneous or planned and can be carried out in response to or in anticipation of changing conditions”.All these definitions refer to the settings in a system in response to (or in light of) climatic stimuli, butalso indicate differences in the scope, application and interpretation of adaptation terminology. Anyscientific analysis of adaptation needs to specify multiple elements, which are reflected in the questionsincluded in Figure 2. Adaptation may be to climate change; it may also be for climate change andvariability, or just for the weather. It may be in response to adverse events or vulnerabilities, but also itmay be in response to opportunities. It can be in response to current expected actual, real or104 By integrating adaptation in water and sanitation programmes in Central America, the case of STEPS III. CARE Canada and CareHonduras. April 2010.105 It must take into account that the definition of 'adaptation' that varies across different disciplines (Smithers and Smit, 1997)and has come to have a different definition in the speech of the creators of policies and in investigations of climate change, whichis being used in the text.106 Climate Change Conference of the United Nations. Tiajing, China October 4, 2010.107 Oxfam report. Adaptation.108Currently the construction of local scenarios is the challenge in developing countries and local governments. The developmentof accessible methods, tools and information accessible and understandable to serve local strategic planning for adaptation is anecessity that should be prioritized in order to make more objective measures of real adaptation. Note A. Ponce, Estelí, 2011.24