Adapting to climate change

Thresholds, values, governance

Adapting to climate change is one of the most challenging problems facing humanity. The time for adaptation action to ongoing and future climate change is now upon us. Living with climate change involves reconsidering our lifestyles and goals for the future, which are linked to our actions as individuals, societies and governments worldwide. This book presents the latest science and social science research on how and whether the world can adapt to climate change. Written by some of the world's leading experts, both academics and practitioners, on governance, ecosystem services and human interactions, the book examines the nature of the risks to ecosystems and the thresholds of change. It demonstrates how values, culture and the constraining forces of governance can act as significant barriers and limits to action. Adaptation will not be costless, indeed it will be painful for many. As both an extensive state-of-the-art review of science and as a holistic assessment of adaptation options, this book is essential reading for all those concerned with responses to climate change, especially researchers, policymakers, practitioners and graduate students.