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Climate Services and Transformational Adaptation

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  • Edward R. Carr

    (International Development, Community, and Environment Department, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
    Humanitarian Response and Development Lab, George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA)

Abstract

The Working Group II contribution to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report states that effective adaptation to the changing climate will require transformational changes in how people live. This article explores the potential for climate services to catalyze and foster transformational adaptation. I argue that weather and climate information are not, in and of themselves, tools for transformation. When designed and delivered without careful identification of the intended users of the service and the needs that service addresses, they can fail to catalyze change amongst the users of that information. At worst, they can reinforce the status quo and drive maladaptive outcomes. For climate services to serve as agents of transformational adaptation, the climate services community will have to change how it understands the users of these services and their needs. Building climate services around contemporary understandings of how people make decisions about their lives and livelihoods offers designers and implementers of climate services opportunities to create services that catalyze transformational adaptation. These opportunities provide examples for the wider field of adaptation to consider in its efforts to contribute to climate resilient development.

Suggested Citation

  • Edward R. Carr, 2022. "Climate Services and Transformational Adaptation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:289-:d:1013780
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    References listed on IDEAS

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