Adapting to Climate Change: Research and Development Priorities

Abstract

Ever increasing demand for food and the basic necessities, driven by high demographic pressure and rapid economic development, necessitate strengthening the scientific knowledge of underpinning processes and creating the data bank for development of decision support system which policy makers can use to address urgent issues. The goal is to identify and implement strategies of natural resources management which adapt to the climate change with specific references to alterations in precipitation, temperature, risks of soil degradation, quality and quantity of water resources, and increase incidence of pests and pathogens. The adaptive management is crucial to addressing the complex issues of climate change, environmental degradation, and food security. Other researchable topics include: (i) the fate of carbon transported by erosional processes, (ii) coupled ocean and climate studies, (iii) glacier dynamics in the Himalayas, (iv) monsoon science, and (v) drought management. There is a need for immediate action through a coordinated program implemented on a regional basis. Funding for long-term multi-disciplinary research must conic from regional sources. Global environmental solutions require global funding for conducting solution-oriented research.