This semi-arid land, vulnerable to water shortages, rising temperatures, wildfires, and a host of other environmental challenges, is poised to bear the heaviest consequences of global environmental change in the US. Population growth, combined with the intensifying effects of climate change, is driving the oasis-based society toward a Dust-Bowl-scale catastrophe. What happens in the Southwest will provide a glimpse of what other mid-latitude arid lands worldwide – the Mediterranean Basin, southern Africa, and the Middle East – will experience in coming years.

(ARID LANDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE * CLIMATE CHANGE * SOUTHWEST U.S. AS DUST BOWL?)

Discusses pollution control, reducing environmental damage, global climate change policies, balancing environmental and economic considerations, and the form governmental policies should take.

(CLIMATE CHANGE * ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS * ENVIRONMENT)

The GAR is a major initiative of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). It contributes to achievement of the Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) through monitoring risk patterns, trends, and progress in disaster reduction, while providing strategic guidance to countries and the international community. A key priority is to provide guidance on the most effective strategies to reduce different kinds of risk and adapt to climate change.

(RISK MANAGEMENT * DISASTER RISK REDUCTION * CLIMATE CHANGE)

Designed to assist youth and youth organizations in educating themselves and becoming actively involved in combating climate change, the Report suggests how young people might be more effectively integrated as individuals and collective agents of change within the realm of climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Report also seeks to affirm young people as key stakeholders in the fight against climate change.

(CLIMATE CHANGE AND YOUTH * YOUTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE * WORLD YOUTH REPORT)

Reviews linkages between urbanization and climate change, two of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, whose effects are converging in dangerous ways. Illustrates the significant contribution of urban areas to climate change, while also highlighting the potentially devastating effects of climate change on urban populations. Urban areas have a pivotal role in both climate change mitigation and adaptation. The report identifies strategies and approaches for strengthening this role.

(CITIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE * CLIMATE CHANGE AND CITIES)

Environmentally responsible operations both large and small can also be profitable. Presents practical and potentially money-saving actions that business and governments can take to reduce their carbon footprint, and showcases the companies leading the way in the fight against climate change.

(CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUSINESS * BUSINESS AND CARBON REDUCTION)

Buildings contribute to well over one third of global energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions, but also have a huge potential to achieve drastic emission reductions at virtually no cost. The current climate footprint from buildings is equivalent to 8.6 billion tons of CO2 a year and is predicted to almost double by 2030. In addition, the pressure to develop new buildings – as a result of population growth – will lead to a doubling of the existing building stock in developing countries by 2050. This report from UNEP’s Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative shows opportunities to cut GHG emissions through policies and technologies that already exist.

(CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUILDINGS * BUILDINGS AND CLIMATE CHANGE)

This semi-arid land, vulnerable to water shortages, rising temperatures, wildfires, and a host of other environmental challenges, is poised to bear the heaviest consequences of global environmental change in the US. Population growth, combined with the intensifying effects of climate change, is driving the oasis-based society toward a Dust-Bowl-scale catastrophe. What happens in the Southwest will provide a glimpse of what other mid-latitude arid lands worldwide – the Mediterranean Basin, southern Africa, and the Middle East – will experience in coming years.

(ARID LANDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE * CLIMATE CHANGE * SOUTHWEST U.S. AS DUST BOWL?)

Presents climate adaptation and flood risk problems and solutions in coastal cities – including an independent investigation of adaptation paths and problems in Rotterdam, New York, and Jakarta. Besides coastal flooding, cities also experience impacts that occur away from the coast. The New York City Water Supply System, for example, stretches as far as 120 miles upstate, an area which will be affected by rising temperatures, droughts, inland flooding, and water quality changes. Examines several key questions: 1) Are current city plans climate proof or do we need to fine-tune our ongoing investments? 2) Can we develop a flood proof subway system? 3) Can we develop new infrastructure in such a way that it serves flood protection, housing, and natural values?

(CLIMATE CHANGE * CITIES * COASTAL CITIES * FLOOD RISK)

Countries could make greater efforts to understand the likely impacts of climate change on tourism. There is low awareness of the tourism sector's climate change mitigation and adaptation needs, and current policy, with few exceptions, is inadequate to the scale of the challenge of both mitigation of emissions and adaptation. Analyses policies and issues related to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the tourism sector and provides policy recommendations, with the objective to identify priority areas to be included in a framework for action in the area of climate change and tourism.

(TOURISM AND CLIMATE CHANGE * CLIMATE CHANGE)