Presentations and Panel Discussions
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1. Climate Change Adaptation for Natural Resources: The Status of a New Conservation Paradigm
Patty Glick, Senior Global Warming Specialist, National Wildlife Federation (click here for audio)
Katie Theoharides , Conservation Planning Associate, Defenders of Wildlife (click here for audio)
The presentation “Climate Change Adaptation for Natural Resources,” summarized the findings of collaborative research efforts, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, which led up to and set the tone for “Adaptation 2009”. These included a literature review conducted by NWF, as well as a survey of 68 professionals in the field, conducted by Defenders of Wildlife, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies(AFWA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and NWF.
The talk focused mainly on the following points identified through the research efforts: 1) definitions of adaptation; 2) the extent of progress to date; 3) barriers; 4) consistent overarching principles; 5) guidelines for developing strategies; and 6) on-the-ground strategies for adaptation. Specific examples were provided for each natural system.
For the power point presentation please click here .
2. Overview of Four Ecosystems
Each speaker gave a brief overview of the most significant impacts of climate change on the specific ecosystem and then described in more detail the management challenges posed by changing climate or adaptation strategies for the ecosystem. They were also encouraged to use specific place-based examples where possible.
Click on each ecosystem below for the full presentations.
FORESTS | Linda Joyce , USDA Forest Service (click here for audio)
3. Management and Policy Breakout Summaries
A presenter from each natural system breakout group provided a 15 minute summary of the top priority management and policy recommendations agreed upon for their ecosystem.
Click on each ecosystem below to view the individual summary presentations.
4. Panel on Policy Framework
The second day of “Adaptation 2009” began with a panel discussion of the policy framework. Different perspectives were provided, ranging from funding opportunities to federal, state and tribal perspectives. Panelists were asked to address ways in which the policy framework might have to change and give examples of what agencies are empowered to do regarding climate change and adaptation.
The available power point presentations are linked below.
5. Funding Breakout Methodology and Cost Session Summaries
Funding Breakout Methodology | John Kostyack, National Wildlife Federation
A short presentation was provided in plenary to orient participants to the challenges of the Funding Breakout Sessions and to lay the groundwork for a methodology to help accomplish the breakout tasks.
The breakout exercise was meant to provide a smattering of data points to help those advocating for dedicated funding provide examples of possible costs – not a roll-up or number for the ultimate cost of a national adaptation program. The breakout sessions were also meant to identify key issues and data sources or case-studies for researchers to begin looking at when attempting to study examples of adaptation costs. Finally, participants were asked to provide a critique of the methodology used for this initial cost estimation exercise. The breakouts did not address the cost of inaction, with regard to climate impacts.
The main points to be considered in the exercise were as follows:
1. What assumptions must be addressed before estimating costs of adaptation? (geographic timescales, time frame, priority management objectives, emissions and regulatory scenarios)
2. What categories of actions must be considered as part of any adaptation program for the ecosystem type? (planning, research, acquisition, restoration, management, monitoring, other?)
3. What are the estimated costs of these actions?
Cost Breakout Session Summaries
After discussing the methodology and purpose of the Funding Breakout Sessions, participants were again broken into self selected groups of 15-35 people based on the four natural systems. Each group was charged with estimating the funding needed to enact the priority management and policy changes identified in the previous day’s breakout sessions for their natural system. Participants understood that this exercise was meant to be a learning experience, not a concrete way to come up with adaptation costs. To facilitate the process, groups chose to use specific, local examples, for each system that were based on where the majority of the group members had direct experience or expertise.
Each group was also asked to consider the implications for estimating costs of natural resource adaptation efforts more broadly and to critique the methodology used in this exercise. Time constraints prevented many of the groups from being able to complete this final task.
Click on each ecosystem below to view the summary presentations.
FORESTS: Cost Estimates (click here for audio)
6. Perspectives on Funding Allocations
How does natural resource adaptation funding fit in the context of other claims on funds from a cap and trade program?
This panel highlighted the many other claims on potential cap and trade funds. Three distinguished panelists came at the topic from different perspectives. The power points that were presented are available below.
