Adaptation and Mitigation of Global Climate Change in Arid Lands

Abstract

Humans have throughout history adapted to climate change, and will out of necessity adapt to future climate change. However, compared to climatic changes in the past, the changes that are presently taking place are occurring in a world where many vast areas are densely populated and have a high water demands. Even without climate change, many areas of the world are now facing, now or will face in the future, severe water crises because of population growth. The vulnerability of a region, country, or community to climate change is a function of its exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to climate stimuli. It is also clear that with respect to climate change, there will be winners and losers and the losers may wind up paying a very high price.