Risk Communication in Vulnerability Assessment Towards Development of Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Health in Guangxi, China

Abstract

Over the past few decades, climate change has emerged as a significant global problem. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) concluded that warming of the climate system is unequivocal and that warming will continue throughout this century and beyond 2100 (IPCC, 2013). Changes in climate have presented a considerable risk for environment and health on all continents (IPCC, 2014f; Kirch et al., 2005; Parmesan & Yohe, 2003). The impacts of climate change are most evident from recent climate-related extremes, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and cyclones (IPCC, 2013). These extreme weather events have significant impacts upon ecosystems, communities and human health, including disruption of food production and water supply, damage to infrastructure and settlements, morbidity and mortality, and consequences for mental health and human well-being (McGeehin & Mirabelli, 2001).The Guangxi government has developed its own action plan as province-wide guidelines to respond to climate change. It has developed mitigation strategies in controlling carbon dioxide emissions in industry, agriculture, forest, mining and tourism (GXGov, 2009a). However, adaptation strategies are missing in this action plan. With the increasing threats from the climate-related extreme weather events in this province, adaptation strategies and policies are urgently required to support local communities in reducing their vulnerability and increasing their adaptive capacity to those events.