Vulnerability and Adaptation

People have always been adversely affected by natural disasters such as floods or droughts, but current environmental problems such as increasing land degradation in some parts of the world and climate change are impacting more and more people as population grows. Signals being sent to decision-makers are clear and urgent. Ways to adapt and cope better need to be found.

Unfortunately, critical decisions often must be made in real time as events unfold. Ways to anticipate and absorb shocks from natural disasters need to be found and incorporated into institutions at multiple layers of governance. Such adaptation measures could help vulnerable people better manage and survive disasters.

IISD's work in this area is focussed on: