Adapting to a World Without Glaciers Realities, Challenges, and Actions
The recession of tropical glaciers is a manifestation of global climate changes impacting the hydrologic cycle that raises grave concerns for future water resources. The anticipated increase and risk of increased flooding, catastrophic events, and loss of water storage will force major changes upon communities that have developed under more predictable historic conditions. Yet we have much more to learn about the short- and long-term effects of glacier retreat and warming trends on villages, urban regions, and downstream populations.
Workshop
From July 7th to July 15th 2009, The Mountain Institute, in collaboration with Ministry of Environment, National Council for Science and Technology (CONCTYEC), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), University of Georgia (UGA), International Resources Group (IRG), and Pontificia Universidad Catholica del Peru (PUCP) will gather international scientists, practitioners, and policy makers in Peru to examine the impacts of glacier recession caused by contemporary climate change. The effort will consider the implications of diminishing glaciers for freshwater supplies, the impacts on communities and economic sectors that depend on the water, the development of adaptive strategies, and identification of priority research and pilot project needs. A critical point of concern is to identify how scientific research results can be incorporated into decision making processes to protect vulnerable populations.(Click here for more information on "Adapting to a World Witout Glaciers".)
Agenda
Workshop presenters will include university researchers, private and public sector decision makers, and topic area specialists. The first day of the workshop, to be held in Lima, Peru, will offer opportunities for open plenary sessions to explain regional climate risks; the effects of warming trends on glaciers; the importance of glaciers for Andean and HHK life, livelihoods, ecosystems, industry, and agriculture, current water laws; regional resource management plans; and an overview of the forthcoming workshop activities, goals, and objectives in Huaraz. (Click here to view the full agenda.)
Participants
A rich cross-section of scholars, practitioners, governmental officials, and development workers representing a wide range of climate change themes have been selected to participate in the workshop. By pulling together these different disciplinary perspectives and stakeholder viewpoints, the workshop promises to transcend past piece-meal and narrow analysis of mountain climate change and societal response. The workshop will represent one of the rare gatherings of both social scientists and biophysical scientists working on climate change. In addition, the presence of decision makers will further the relevance and applicability of the workshop.
climate change. The effort will consider the implications of diminishing glaciers for freshwater supplies, the impacts on communities and economic sectors that depend on the water, the development of adaptive strategies, and identification of priority research and pilot project needs. A critical point of concern is to identify how scientific research results can be incorporated into decision making processes to protect vulnerable populations.
participate in the workshop. By pulling together these different disciplinary perspectives and stakeholder viewpoints, the workshop promises to transcend past piece-meal and narrow analysis of mountain climate change and societal response. The workshop will represent one of the rare gatherings of both social scientists and biophysical scientists working on climate change. In addition, the presence of decision makers will further the relevance and applicability of the workshop.