Overview
(Weeks 8-9)
In unit 2, we explored the concepts of vulnerability in the context of changing climatic conditions. In this unit, we build on these conceptual underpinnings and recognize that both climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction understand risk as a function of vulnerability and exposure to hazards. In essence, the origin of the idea to adapt to changing climatic conditions is inherently tied to the notion of reducing underlying vulnerabilities.
The value of any assessment process is in the extent that it leads to action and changes. One of the ongoing debates within the climate change adaptation practice field is the question about how much needs to be known about climate change to take meaningful action to address vulnerabilities. This unit provides the opportunity to explore and reflect on the many pathways and methods to taking action and reducing vulnerabilities.
This unit will provide the opportunity for you to explore and reflect on the processes for taking action to manage risks. There are as many approaches as there are contexts in which there are risks and vulnerabilities. Effective risk management approaches are highly dependent on context, and understanding a systems-thinking approach to resilience will help you identify the suites of options that you can consider.
Actions to integrate consideration of climate change into policy, or mandated as part of investment decisions, are examples of mainstreaming. Mainstreaming is an incremental change approach and a commonly stated adaptation goal, of bringing climate change into consideration in existing frameworks of public policy and its decisions. We will explore some good examples of climate adaptation mainstreaming in Canada in this unit. And while these are certainly important keystone actions, you will also have the opportunity to explore the opportunities and limitations of mainstreaming as an approach. Integrating best practices in adaptive policy design, which is highly iterative, can help address some of the common limitations of mainstreaming practices and can further mainstreaming through areas of public policy that have not yet integrated climate change considerations.
The assignment for this unit will provide you with the opportunity to build on what you have learned about assessment and develop recommendations for risk management actions coming out of the work that you have done in the course thus far.
Activities and Assessment Overview
- Complete Unit 4 Readings.
- Week 9: Complete Assignment 3 Part 2 Climate Change Assessment
- Contribute to the MACAL course community.
Unit 4 Activity 1: Complete Required Readings
The readings this unit shift the focus to action – once you have assessed risk, how do you move forward to address that risk? As the unit description states, just as there are many approaches to climate risk assessment, so too are there many approaches to climate risk management and adaptation. The readings provide some insights into a range of these options and the theoretical and practical questions that guide them.
Unit 4 Activity 2: Complete Assignment 3b: Climate Change Assessment
This team-based assignment provides an opportunity to apply the concepts that your team has been exploring and discussing throughout the course. Review Assignment 3 Part 2 for details.