Surviving Climate Chaos
by Strengthening Communities and Ecosystems

Explains how communities and ecosystems everywhere can be strengthened to survive climate chaos.

Julian Caldecott (Author)

9781108793780, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 September 2021

392 pages
22.8 x 15.4 x 1.9 cm, 0.66 kg

'Framing the text as a practical guide for how to think about and implement successful climate adaptation, Caldecott has crafted an essential, timely, thoroughly documented contribution, including almost 50 pages of cited references … Highly recommended.' J. E. Grinnell, Choice Connect

Surviving climate chaos needs communities and ecosystems able to cope with near-random impacts. Their strength depends upon their integrity, so preserving and restoring this is essential. Total climate breakdown might be postponed by extreme efforts to conserve carbon and recapture pollutants, but climate chaos everywhere is now inevitable. Adaptation efforts by Paris Agreement countries are converging on community-based and ecosystem-based strategies, and case studies in Bolivia, Nepal and Tanzania confirm that these are the best ways forward. But success depends on local empowerment through forums, ecosystem tenure security and environmental education. When replicated, networked and shielded by governments, they can strengthen societies against climate chaos while achieving sustainable development. These vital messages are highlighted for all those who seek or have already found a role in promoting adaptation: for students, researchers and teachers, government officials and aid professionals, and for everyone who is now living under threat of climate chaos.

Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I. Context, Tools and Systems: 1. Adaptation and the Paris Agreement
2. Chaos and Climate Emergency
Part II. Understanding Climate Chaos: 3. Systems, Climate and Ecology
4. Making Systems Stronger
Part III. Practical System Strengthening: 5. Community Forest User Groups in Nepal
6. Community Land Titling in Bolivia
7. Coastal Zone and Community Planning in Zanzibar
8. Liveable and Sustainable Cities
Part IV. Global Perspectives: 9. Changing Ideas of Adaptation
10. Learning from the Adaptation Communications
11. Adaptation in Specific Geographies
Part V. Conclusions: 12. Designing and Evaluating Adaptation Investments
13. Adaptive Thinking, Feeling and Acting
Abbreviations and Acronyms
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Climate change [RNPG], Pollution & threats to the environment [RNP], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Applied ecology [RNC]