Definitions

Question 1

Climate change

Answer 1

A change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer.

Due to internal processes or external forcings:

• Modulations of the solar cycles
• Volcanic eruptions
• Anthropogenic impacts on the atmosphere

UNFCCC: A change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.

Question 2

Impacts

Answer 2

• Effects on natural and human systems of extreme weather and climate events and of climate change.
• Effects on lives, livelihoods, health, ecosystems, economics, societies, cultures, services and infrastructure.
• Due to the interaction of climate change or hazardous climate events occurring within a specific time period and the vulnerability of an exposed society or system.
• Also referred to as consequences or outcomes.

Question 3

Hazard

Answer 3

The potential occurrence of an event or trend or impact that may:

• Cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts
• Damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provisions, ecosystems and environmental resources

Question 4

Exposure

Answer 4

The presence of something (e.g. people, livelihoods, species or ecosystems, environmental functions, services and resources, infrastructure or economic, social or cultural assets) in places and settings that could be adversely affected.

Nature and degree to which a system experiences environmental or socio-political stress.

Question 5

Vulnerability

Answer 5

The propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected:

• Sensitivity or susceptibility to harm
• Lack of capacity to cope and adapt

It has a predictive quality. Therefore in terms of human security, is different to poverty, which is a measure of the current state.

Question 6

Risk

Answer 6

• The potential for consequences where something of value is at stake and where the outcome is uncertain.
• Probability of occurrence of a hazardous event/trend * impact of event/trend
• Interaction of vulnerability, exposure and hazard

Question 7

Adaptation

Answer 7

Process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects:

• Seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial opportunities
• May facilitate adjustment to expected climate and its effects
• Incremental adaptation - adaptation actions where the central aim is to maintain the fundamental attributes of a system or process at a given scale
• Transformational adaptation - adaptation that changes the fundamental attributes of a human or natural system

Question 8

Resilience

Answer 8

Capacity or social, economic and environmental states to cope with a hazardous event/trend/disturbance, responding or reorganising in ways that maintain their essential function, identity and structure, whilst also maintaining the capacity for adaptation, learning and transformation.

Question 9

Evidence and communication

Answer 9

• Defined, calibrated language that communicates the strength of scientific understanding, including uncertainties and areas of disagreement.
• Each finding is supported by a ‘traceable’ account of the evaluation of evidence and agreement,
  e. g. adaptation has emerged as a central area in climate change research, in country level planning and in implementation of climate change strategies (high confidence)

Question 10

Detection of impacts

Answer 10

Evidence for whether a system is changing

Question 11

Attribution of impacts

Answer 11

Magnitude of contribution of climate change to a change in a system

Question 12

Motivation for assessing observed impacts?

Answer 12

Indication of potential future impacts

Question 13

What are we trying to achieve (UNFCCC)?

Answer 13

Stabilisation of GHG emissions to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Achieved within a timeframe that allows systems to adapt naturally, ensure food production is not threatened and economic development can occur in a sustainable manner.

Question 14

Key risk

Answer 14

• One that has potentially severe consequences due to high hazard or high vulnerability.
• Large magnitude, high likelihood, near term, irreversibility, persistence, limited risk reduction options.
• Warrants particular attention by policymakers

Question 15

Kay vulnerability

Answer 15

• Potential to combine with a hazardous event or trend to result in a key risk
• Warrants particular attention by policymakers

Question 16

Key impact

Answer 16

• Severe consequences for human and socio-ecobiological systems
• Warrants particular attention by policymakers

Question 17

Key risk indication

Answer 17

Measure used to indicate how risky an activity is. Provide an early signal of increasing risk exposure.

Question 18

Emergent risk

Answer 18

A risk that arises from the interaction of phenomena in a complex system

Question 19

2015 Lancet Commission

Answer 19

• Map out impacts of cc and the necessary policy responses in order to ensure the highest attainable standards of health for human population worldwide.
• Three year process of reviewing climate science and the impacts of cc on human health.
• 4 central themes: community resilience and adaptation, energy and technical solutions, economic policy and financial mechanisms, political mechanisms

Question 20

Shocks to the food system

Answer 20

• Currently around one every 10 years - can cope. Chance of two shocks at the same time v low.
• By 2050 25% change of getting two shocks at the same time and we’re not currently set up to be able to cope with this.

Question 21

Market failures

Answer 21

• GHG emissions
• R&D
• Imperfections in risk and capital markets
• Networks
• Information
• Co-benefits

Question 22

Human security

Answer 22

• To protect the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfilment.
• Protecting fundamental freedoms - protecting from critical (severe) and pervasive (widespread) threats and situations.

Question 23

Sensitivity

Answer 23

The degree to which a system is modified or affected by perturbations.

Question 24

Maladaptation

Answer 24

An adaptation that causes harm

Intervention in one area that increases vulnerability in another

Question 25

Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment & Index

Answer 25

A way of measuring vulnerability to natural disasters/extreme climate events - material, social, health, attitudinal.

Standardised index - resilient, low, moderate, high, extreme

Question 26

Total volume of water on earth
Total volume of freshwater
Amount available for ecosystems/humans
Of this how much used for food (incl. raising animals)

Answer 26

1.4bn km3
2.5%
1% freshwater / 0.01% all water
70-92%

Question 27

Food security

Answer 27

A situation where all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritional food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.