Author: Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
Critics have recently reopened the debate on climate-change adaptation approaches, suggesting that the use of localized - or downscaled - projections is not ideal or necessary. The critics contend that using downscaled climate information is a misguided ‘top down’ approach. They assert that it is more valuable to pursue a ‘bottom up’ approach to adaptation, wherein future scenarios are created based on historic data, current climate variability and other stressors, such as population growth. While academics have carried on this debate for years, it can be confusing for those embarking on adaptation efforts. This brief acknowledges the issues raised by critics and argues that a bottom-up approach can also benefit from the use of climate models to inform community adaptation in British Columbia (BC), using examples from a recent adaption planning exercise in Prince George.
Read the full policy brief here: http://pics.uvic.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/BN40_Climate_Models_2Oct2012.pdf
