REDUCING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE MEKONG BASIN; THE MRC'S CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION INITIATIVE
Adaptation
to climate change in the countries of the Lower Mekong Basin:
regional synthesis report, MRC
Technical Paper No. 24, September 2009
Climate
Change
MRC SEA of hydropower on mainstream
Mekong – social systems baseline assessments
Climate
Change Baseline Assessment Working Paper
Climate
Change Baseline Assessment
Adaptation
to climate change in the countries of the Lower Mekong Basin,
MRC Management Information Booklet
Series No. 1, September 2009
Although it is important to focus on long-term reductions in carbon emissions and the establishment of a global low carbon economy; more urgent for the 60 million people in the Mekong Basin in the near future will be strategies to adapt - to reduce the impact - and try to ensure that climate change doesn't weaken efforts to reduce poverty or improve development.
The countries of the LMB are among the most vulnerable to climate change in the world.
Although no-one knows exactly how rising world temperatures will impact on the basin, according to global climate modelling that has been downscaled to basin level by the MRC and its partners, the following is likely:
- A change in rainfall patterns, which could increase the risk of flooding in some areas and affect agriculture;
- An increase in the number and severity of extreme weather events;
- An increased risk of extremes of hot and cold in different parts of the basin. This could make drought more likely and increase the risk faced by farmers in what are already poor areas;
- Sea level rises of up to one metre are predicted, making the Mekong Delta one of the five most vulnerable deltas in the world.
- Significant displacement of people and migration into urban areas
- Changes in the flow of the river and tributaries, which could influence fish migration patterns, run-off and alluvial deposits.
As global concerns about climate change grow, the MRC is working to discover what climate change will mean to the people of the basin in terms of changing water resources, their future use and environmental impacts.
The MRC Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI) is a collaborative regional effort of MRC Member Countries to support the process of adapting to the new challenges posed by climate change in the Lower Mekong Basin.
THE INITIATIVE WORKS BY:
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE LOWER MEKONG BASIN
In
the Lower Mekong Basin, the changes in weather patterns as a
result of climate change are expected to increase natural variations,
with less rain in the dry season and more rain in the wet season.
This may lead to increasing seasonal water shortages, but also
to higher frequency and severity of floods. More
»
WHAT KIND OF ADAPTATIONS WILL MEKONG COUNTRIES HAVE TO MAKE?
Each
Member Country may have different needs and resources; the MRC
will strike a balance between encouraging growth and allowing
for flexibility for adopting adaptation strategies and measures.
More »
FOSTERING CLIMATE CHANGE DIALOGUE WITH STAKEHOLDERS
The
Regional Forum on the MRC CCAI is one of several activities
that are helping to foster dialogue and consultation with stakeholders
involved in climate change and adaptation activities in the
Lower Mekong Basin. More »
Traditionally,
women are often involved in the management, maintenance, and
conservation of natural resources for collective and community
consumption. They also often have very detailed knowledge of
their local environment. The inclusion of women in the climate
change decision-making processes is crucial More
»
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT CAN WE DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL?
Click the flyers to open (in new window)
For more information, contact:
Sukthawee Suwannachairop, MRC CCAI Communication Officer
sukthawee@mrcmekong.org
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