Download Lauren Keller UEP 232 January 30, 2012 Project Topics Climate

Lauren Keller
UEP 232
January 30, 2012
Project Topics
Climate Change Vulnerability in Southeast Asia
This project would explore the vulnerability of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines) to climate change. This project would
use the IPCC definition of vulnerability as “the degree to which a system is susceptible
to, or unable to cope with the adverse effects of climate change, including climate
variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate
of climate variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive
capacity”. Thus, this project would examine the projected impact of climate change on
the region, how intensely the region is affected (e.g. food production, the built
environment, livelihoods), and ability for the region to adapt.
Some spatial questions for this project include:
 What areas in Southeast Asia are most vulnerable to climate change?
o This question is interesting because it tells us where vulnerability is which
in turn can help policy makers better target interventions towards more
vulnerable areas.
 How does the distribution of poverty affect vulnerability to climate change?
o We know impoverished areas are more vulnerable, but this question helps
us explore how that is distributed. Are fishing communities more
vulnerable? Are shanty-towns?
References:
Pacific Disaster Center. (n.d.). Mapping Flood Risk and Vulnerability in the Lower
Mekong Basin. Map Book Gallery Volume 20. Retrieved January 29, 2013, from
http://www.esri.com/mapmuseum/mapbook_gallery/volume20/safety2.html
Flooding is one factor in climate change that is projected to increase in the Mekong
Basin. These maps show the different ways in which you can look at flood vulnerability –
the Vulnerability-Exposure-Sensitivity-Resilience model – that merits more investigation.
Yusuf, A. A., & Francisco, H. (2009, January). Climate Change Vulnerability Mapping
for Southeast Asia. Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia.
This report shows how the Pacific Disaster Center comprehensively mapped geohazards,
sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. This is a great example of how I could do maps like
these and proves that the data is out there somewhere.
Potential Data Sources:
IPCC: http://www.ipcc-data.org/
NCAR: https://gisclimatechange.ucar.edu/
Wetlands as Protective Measure Against Flooding and Tsunamis in Indonesia
This project would explore the affect of wetland areas on vulnerability to flooding and
tsunamis. This is particularly interesting in light of the recent work that has been done
surrounding the ability of mangroves to mitigate some of the negative effects of the
Indian Ocean tsunami in Indonesia. This project would examine the land cover in
Indonesia and inundation. Also examined would be social factors, namely poverty and
population density, that would help inform the vulnerability of populations to coastal
flooding and tsunami.
Some spatial questions for this project include:
 Do wetlands affect flood inundation levels?
o This is the key question here – do wetlands actually do anything to prevent
damage or inundation?
 Did wetland areas, particularly mangroves, actually protect communities during
the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004?
o This is interesting because it makes a real-life case for conserving wetland
areas.
References:
Feuer, A. (2012, November 3). Protecting the City, Before Next Time. The New York
Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/nyregion/protectingnew-york-city-before-next-time.html?pagewanted=all
This article isn’t incredibly relevant to the region but it does present some interesting
adaptive ideas including increased wetland cover in light of Hurricane Sandy.
Hiraishi, T., & Harada, K. (2003). Greenbelt Tsunami Prevention in the South-Pacific
Region. Report of the Port and Airport Research Institute, 42(2).
This is the critical article that examined the wetlands and suggested that they could
reduce tsunami impact by as much as 90 percent.
Munich Re Group, Geo Risk Research. (n.d.). Tsunami Inundation Zones. Map Book
Gallery Volume 22. Retrieved January 29, 2013, from
http://www.esri.com/mapmuseum/mapbook_gallery/volume22/public4.html
This map series shows inundation zones for most of the world’s coastlines at 5, 10, and
20 meters. Demonstrating the magnitude of inundation, which will be an important part
of this project.
Potential Data Sources:
Ramsar List: http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-documents-list/main/ramsar/1-31218_4000_0__
Geocommunity Indonesia Data: http://data.geocomm.com/catalog/ID/datalist.html