Climate Variability, Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the Semi-arid Tropics

Climate changes can trigger events that lead to mass migration, hunger, and even famine. Rather than focus on the impacts that result from climatic fluctuations, the authors look at the underlying conditions that cause social vulnerability. Once we understand why individuals, households, nations, and regions are vulnerable, and how they have buffered themselves against climatic and environmental shifts, then present and future vulnerability can be redressed. By using case studies from across the globe, the authors explore past experiences with climate variability, and the likely effects of--and the possible policy responses to--the types of climatic events that global warming might bring.

The effects of climate change can be devastating to the surrounding communities, resulting in consequences such as mass migration, hunger and famine. Rather than attributing the blame to nature, the authors look at the social processes and organisation of the society to find the causes. Through case studies from across the globe, this volume explores past experiences with climate variability, and the likely effects of, and possible policy responses to the types of climate events that global warming might bring.