Klimakalender Einzelansicht

25.08.2014 - 27.08.2014
Konferenz

Adapting to Change: From Research to Decision-making

What is this about?

As highlighted in consecutive reports from the IPCC, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that anthropogenic climate change is taking place and the chances are high that future climate is going to change even more than what has already been realised.  Impacts of changes over recent decades are likewise visible throughout the Nordic region, manifested e.g. through observed changes in the hydrological cycle, reductions in sea ice cover, lengthening growing seasons and the occurrence and strength of heavy rain events. Adaptation to these changes is already high on the agenda in the Nordic and international societies. However, science is providing new information on changes and their consequences, which calls for a wider dialogue to enable adjustments of already initiated adaptation plans as well as providing the baseline knowledge for future initiatives.

The conference “Adapting to Change: From Research to Decision-making” like its two predecessors seeks to advance existing common ground between scientists, practitioners and decision-makers and establish new ways forward for informed adaptation.

The conference is targeted at scholars as well as private and public practitioners and decision-makers at strategic and operational levels and across a wide range of disciplines and sectors. This includes researchers and professionals within the fields of climate change, climate change impacts and adaptation, students, regional and local planners, business strategists and risk managers and policy-makers as well as representatives of NGO’s and Nordic/international organizations. While some sessions will have a definite Nordic focus, the conference - just like the field of climate change adaptation is by no means restricted to the Nordic region. We cordially invite and strongly encourage international participants to join and share their experiences.

Examples of pertinent questions to be highlighted

Some of the key questions to be addressed at the conference will include (but not be restricted to):

• Is the 2 degrees target still achievable?
• How much will extreme events change in the future?
• Where are Nordic and European climate change impact hot spots?
• Are recent flooding events related to climate change?
• Are we adapted to the present climate?
• What are the time scales of interest / urgency for adaptation?
• Are ongoing adaptation strategies based on sound technical information or a result of “rush job”?
• Can the costs of adaptation be carried by locals, and is that fair?
• Is societal resilience an indispensable 4th element in the sustainability triangle of sustainable environment, economy and social fabric?
• Should adaptation always be proactive (instead of adaptive or reactive)?
• Can adaptation be justified by (relative large) side-benefits – instead of emphasizing expected benefits of adapting to climate change?

Why you should attend?

Visit Copenhagen and meet with professionals, including top level researchers, decision makers and representatives of the business sector. Participate in discussions about what is new on agendas for research and decision-making concerning climate change impacts, risks, and adaptation. You will get an opportunity to present and discuss your work, and special sessions will facilitate an open dialogue on key conclusions and uncertainties that are emerging from the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). Like its predecessors, the conference aims to provide an overview of current state-of-the-art within the area of climate change adaptation and to establish a forum for researchers, practitioners and decision-makers to meet and share ideas and experiences. Key-note speakers will include several IPCC AR5 Lead Authors.

Centre for Regional Change in the Earth System (CRES) and co-sponsored by Mistra-SWECIA, Nordforsk, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, NORD-STAR – Nordic Strategic Adaptation Research, The Danish Council for Strategic Research.