CLIMATE-CHANGE VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC -WORKSHOP SUMMARY

The Regional Workshop on Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation A ssessment in Asia and the Pacific met to present and discuss assessmen ts of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in agriculture, f orests, coastal resources, and water resources. Discussions were held in breakout and plenary sessions about the state of the science for vu lnerability and adaptation assessment conclusions that can be drawn ab out the vulnerability of the region to climate change, and where futur e research efforts should be directed. The workshop concluded that sea level rise is of greatest concern to island and coastal nations in th e region, climate change will have a significant effect on agriculture , water resources are sensitive to changes in average climate conditio ns and to tropical monsoons and cyclones, and forests could be signifi cantly affected by climate change. The workshop recommended that effor ts to improve general circulation models continue and that countries i n the region cooperate on the analyses of vulnerability and addressing adaptation measures. The workshop also concluded that results of vuln erability and adaptation assessments should be presented to policy mak ers and the public and that assessments continue to be undertaken to i mprove our understanding of the issue.