Resource information
Adapting to climate change is not a new
phenomenon for the Arab world. For thousands of years, the
people in Arab countries have coped with the challenges of
climate variability by adapting their survival strategies to
changes in rainfall and temperature. Their experience has
contributed significantly to the global knowledge on climate
change and adaptation. But over the next century global
climatic variability is predicted to increase, and Arab
countries may well experience unprecedented extremes in
climate. Temperatures may reach new highs, and in most
places there may be a risk of less rainfall. Under these
circumstances, Arab countries and their citizens will once
again need to draw on their long experience of adapting to
the environment to address the new challenges posed by
climate change. This report prepared through a consultative
process with Government and other stakeholders in the Arab
world assesses the potential effects of climate change on
the Arab region and outlines possible approaches and
measures to prepare for its consequences. It offers ideas
and suggestions for Arab policy makers as to what mitigating
actions may be needed in rural and urban settings to
safeguard key areas such as health, water, agriculture, and
tourism. The report also analyzes the differing impacts of
climate change, with special attention paid to gender, as a
means of tailoring strategies to address specific
vulnerabilities. The socioeconomic impact of climate change
will likely vary from country to country, reflecting a
country's coping capacity and its level of development.
Countries that are wealthier and more economically diverse
are generally expected to be more resilient. The report
suggests that countries and households will need to
diversify their production and income generation, integrate
adaptation into all policy making and activities, and ensure
a sustained national commitment to address the social,
economic, and environmental consequences of climate
variability. With these coordinated efforts, the Arab world
can, as it has for centuries, successfully adapt and adjust
to the challenges of a changing climate.
