Apologies for cross-posting, but the following notice may be of interest
to some list members.
What's in a word? Conflicting interpretations of vulnerability in climate
change research- CICERO Working Paper
A new Working Paper from CICERO shows that vulnerability is interpreted in
different ways, leading to different views on its causes and "cures". It
argues that the traditional view fails to take into account the underlying
causes of vulnerability, and thus may underestimate the seriousness of
climate change.
Details and download: http://www.cicero.uio.no/publications/detail.asp?2682
Abstract:
In this paper, we discuss two competing interpretations of vulnerability
in the climate change literature and consider the implications for both
research and policy. The first interpretation, which can be referred to as
the "end point" approach, views vulnerability as a residual of climate
change impacts minus adaptation. The second interpretation, which takes
vulnerability as a "starting point", views vulnerability as a general
characteristic generated by multiple factors and processes. Viewing
vulnerability as an end point considers that adaptations and adaptive
capacity determine vulnerability, whereas viewing vulnerability as a
starting point holds that vulnerability determines adaptive capacity. The
practical consequences of these two interpretations are illustrated
through the examples of Norway and Mozambique. We show that, if the
underlying causes and contexts of vulnerability are not taken into
account, there is a danger of underestimating the magnitude (large), scope
(social and
environmental) and urgency (high) of climate change.
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Petter Haugneland
Information Officer
Center for International Climate and Environmental Research - Oslo Pb.
1129 Blindern N-0318 OSLO NORWAY
Email: [log in to unmask] www.cicero.uio.no/index_e.asp
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