Chapter 21 Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction: Key challenges and ways forward

Climate change is one of the major challenges confronting human society in the 21st century ( Ericksen & O’Brein, 2007 ; Adger, Lorenzoni, & O’Brien, 2009 ). Mounting evidence attests that climate change is now happening in many parts of the world as evidenced by increasing mean temperature, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea level, and increasing frequency and growing intensity of extreme weather events ( Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC], 2007 ). In many parts of Asia, these climatic changes have led to massive flooding, landslides, and droughts, resulting in extensive damage to properties, assets, and human life ( Cruz et al., 2007 ). Climate change is also exacerbating water shortages in many areas, constraining agricultural production, and threatening food security and energy supply from hydroelectric source. It is likewise causing forest fires and degradation, damaging coastal and marine resources, and increasing the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases. Regional climate studies indicate that the worse is yet to come as far as weather-related disaster risks are concerned. If not addressed effectively, climate change could seriously frustrate the region's sustainable development and poverty-reduction efforts ( ADB, 2009 ).