A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Vulnerabilities to Extreme Climate Events

Abstract

Many regions of the world are experiencing impacts of climate change of increasing variability, including drought and flood events. Proactive adaptation to climate change builds resiliency and reduces vulnerability to extreme events, lessening their impact and also their classification as “disasters.” Adaptive strategies need to address the changing climate, other exposures (i.e. globalization and neo-liberalism), and sensitivities (i.e. unequal access to economic capital or lack of human capital). This paper presents a research framework used by an international and interdisciplinary research project for assessing and building resiliency to climate change and extreme events of drought and flood in five countries of the Americas. The paper discusses how past, present, and future vulnerabilities are integrated into the research process, the complexities and nuances of dealing with local vulnerabilities to extreme climate events, and the incorporation of an adaptive governance assessment.