Dr. Matilde Rusticucci Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina Latin America is highly heterogeneous in terms of climate, ecosystems, human population distribution and cultural traditions. Most of the rainfall is concentrated in the convergence zones or by topography, leading to strong spatial and temporal rainfall contrasts, such as the expected sub-tropical arid regions of northern Mexico and Patagonia, the driest desert in the world in northern Chile, and a tropical semi-arid region of north-east Brazil located next to humid Amazonia and one of the wettest areas in the world in western Colombia. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina In addition to weather and climate, the main drivers of increased vulnerability are demographic pressure, unregulated urban growth, poverty and rural migration, low investment in infrastructure and services, and problems with inter-sectoral co- ordination. Climatic variability and extreme events have been severely affecting the Latin American region over recent years. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Some countries have made efforts to adapt, particularly through conservation of key ecosystems, early warning systems, risk management in agriculture, strategies for flood, drought, coastal management, and disease surveillance systems. Nevertheless, the establishment of a regional adaptation network might enhance their capacities. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina A survey was carried out with several institutions and experts in Latin American and Caribbean countries on their opinions, as well as their need and interest in participating in a regional adaptation network. The study was made electronically, sending out the surveys and analyzing information available on the internet. Most of the contacts were provided by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI an intergovernmental organization devoted to develop multinational and multidisciplinary global change research projects (global change meaning climate change + socioeconomic consequences) Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Since the time to perform the survey was rather short, although 173 surveys had been sent out, 31 responses were received by August 25. Most of them were received by the deadline on August 15. However, an interesting fact is that answers continued to arrive after the deadline from people and institutions that had received the surveys from individuals or institutions initially contacted by this consultancy. A longer period for the deadline would have made it possible to further expand the dissemination of the survey. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Argentina : National Water Institute (Instituto Nacional del Agua - INA) may provide diagnosis studies and exchange of information and expects to receive scientific and technical support from the NETWORK. Argentine Institute of Nivology, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences (Instituto Argentino de Nivologa, Glaciologa y Ciencias Ambientales - IANIGLA) may generate information and facilitate contacts with national and provincial governmental institutions. School of Agronomy, National University of La Pampa may provide education and information on soil and crop management techniques, as well as contacts with producers. They expect financial support, exchange of information and support for the organization of meetings. Environmental Studies Group, National University of San Luis may provide education and contacts with farmers, and expects to get in contact with policy makers, and references to apply for grants. University of Buenos Aires, may contribute to the network through its interdisciplinary program on climate change and by organizing interdisciplinary adaptation workshops. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Barbados Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) may provide education, information and exchange experiences, facilitate contacts with local decision makers and with decision makers in the area of disaster risk reduction and expects to receive information and experiences from other countries, financial support and technical cooperation. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Brazil Institute of Atmospheric Sciences in Macei may provide education and exchange of remote sensing and modeling information, and expects to receive collaboration in aspects of adaptation in semi-arid regions and preparedness for droughts. Embrapa Semi-arid may exchange information and provide advice and expects to receive financial support for research and databases. Embrapa Informtica Agropecuria may collaborate in the area of climate change and its impacts on agricultural production. Federal University of Paran Center for the Environment may provide education, information, and contacts with stakeholders and decision makers, and expects to participate in the exchange of information and researchers, and cooperation for the organization of meetings. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Chile Department of Environmental Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, University of Chile may provide research, education, databases, exchange of information, and contacts with stakeholders and decision makers. They expect to receive support to strengthen the exchange of information and financial support for travel and contacts. Institute of Political Ecology may provide local and regional training thus facilitating contacts with stakeholders and decision makers, and expects to receive information, access to databases, political analyses and joint action plans, access to human and financial resources. Global Change Center Catholic University may participate in the exchange of information, experiences and education and expects to participate in related networks. Regional UNESCO Office in Chile may provide education and participate in the exchange of information, facilitate contacts with social and business actors as well as with decision makers in the area of education. Expects to receive information and contacts. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Colombia Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) may participate in the exchange of information and experiences with adaptation projects, and expects to receive training to formulate and evaluate adaptation projects and monitoring methodologies as well as support to generate climate change scenarios. Social and Environmental Sense (SENSE) may participate in the exchange of information, contacts with vulnerable stakeholders (indigenous groups, afro-Colombians, small and mid producers) and expects to obtain access to scientific information and funding sources. Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Territorial Development Climate Change Mitigation Group may participate in the exchange of information and experiences, and expects to receive support to implement successful experiences and financial support for projects. Costa Rica Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) may facilitate contacts with stakeholders and participate in the exchange of information; they expect that a global platform be established where to discuss on adaptation issues. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Ecuador Governmental Technical Secretariat for Risk Management may contribute in the area of education and facilitate contacts with stakeholders, and expects to participate in the exchange of information, experiences, projects and management models. International Center for Research of El Nio (CIIFEN) may provide education, training for stakeholders, and dissemination of adaptation strategies in different environments. They expect to participate in the exchange of knowledge, contacts and support to build and strengthen local capacities. Guatemala CARE may participate in the exchange of information, contacts with social and institutional actors and decision makers as well as organization and awareness processes. They expect to receive information, technical and empirical references on prevention and mitigation actions and research funding sources. Fund for Ecological Development (ECOLOGIC) may contribute by promoting the exchange of experiences, contacts with community leaders, authorities, the private sector, and grass-root organizations, replicate field experiences. They expect to receive information, contacts with organizations that have succeeded in their working processes, and support for training. Forest National Institute may contribute by providing contacts with decision makers in the forestry area and expects to receive advice to establish a climate change office. Planning and Organization Secretariat of the Presidents Office (Segeplan) may collaborate disseminating information, facilitating contacts with stakeholders, decision makers within the country and technology exchange; expects to obtain updated information and guidelines for the society. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Honduras Honduran Association of Water System Management Boards (AHJASA) may collaborate by providing education, training and contacts with stakeholders and decision makers and expects to share experiences through the NETWORK. Tigra Friends Foundation may contribute in the areas of education, project formulation, contacts with cooperating organizations and decision makers, and expects to receive technical and financial support. Mexico Ensenada Scientific Research and Higher Education Center (CICESE) may contribute with education, exchange of data and research and expects to receive collaboration in the realization of integrated climate change assessments, databases and regional models. Peru Andean Community General Secretariat (Secretara General de la Comunidad Andina) may facilitate the work with Andean countries and exchange information about ongoing projects and expects to receive information and collaboration for joint activities with the countries of the Andean community. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina United States (these are researchers that focus their work on Latin America and the Caribbean) University of Miami may provide education, exchange of information and contacts with social actors and decision makers and expects to receive adaptation data and methodologies. Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, University of Arizona may contribute by exchanging adaptation programs and experiences, contacts with adaptation action in Mexico, contacts with decision makers, outreach, mechanisms for the exchange of students. They expect that periodical meetings be held to exchange experiences, and financial support for the organization of meetings and collaborative efforts, invitations to conferences and seminars and contacts with experts in adaptation. Duke University (IAI PI) may provide education and research. Uruguay Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries may contribute by exchanging information, experiences, achievements, results, policies, networking e.g., capacity building. They expect to receive technical information and opportunities for horizontal cooperation as well as support from specialized organizations and the creation of an internet platform /web site on adaptation to climate change and variability. Venezuela Andes University may provide education, information, contacts with stakeholders and decision makers and the local communities, and expect to receive information and advice. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina In general, the idea of creating the NETWORK was well accepted and all those who responded expressed their interest in participating in it. The main contributions of these institutions are related with education, contacts with local, national and regional stakeholders and decision makers. They expect to receive financial support for research, information search and meeting organization, and to exchange experiences. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Some examples of highly relevant areas for climate change adaptation and networks already established. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Networks related with adaptation to desertification International Network on Desertification and Drought in Latin America and the Caribbean (RIOD_ALC) The mission of RIOD-ALC is to promote, facilitate and expand the active participation of civil society in the process of implementing the Convention to Combat Desertification in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially as to the design, implementation, monitoring and assessment of the national action programs at the subregional and regional levels, as well as to participate actively in applying the Convention at the international level. There are national and sub-national focal points in several countries in the region. It is a group of NGOs. Inter-American Water Resources Network southern South American node The IWRN is a network aimed at building and consolidating cooperation related with water resources among nations, organizations and individuals; promote education, open exchange of information and technical expertise; communication, cooperation, collaboration and financial commitments to achieve the integration of water resources and soil to attain economic and environmental sustainable development in the Americas. In general, the Regional Nodes are regional organizations that can assist the IWRN Advisory Council in distributing information and coordinating activities of the IWRN with other water-resources organizations in their region. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Some national examples Honduras Water Platform (La Plataforma del Agua de Honduras - PAH) This is a voluntary organization whose members are individuals or corporate bodies (government, civil society, private sector and cooperation) and is aimed at promoting dialogue, assessments and proposals at the national level to strengthen capacities and application of Integrated Water Resources Management in the country. Mexican network to combat desertification and degradation of natural resources One of the objectives of the National System to Combat Desertification and Natural Resource Degradation (SINADES) is to contain and revert desertification and land degradation through integral recovering and sustainable production promotion programs, promoting the adoption of production systems and practices that preserve natural resources among producers. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Latin American Vector Control Network (RELCOV) The network was created in 2003 to optimize vector control in Latin America by taking maximum advantage of the regions resources and within the framework of the goals and guidelines established by the governments and PAHO/WHO. The Pan-American Health Organization concentrates activities in Latin America. PAHO and WHO are working together on global climate change issues throughout the region, assessing risks in each country, improving knowledge of the effects of climate change on health, and improving health systems to address climate related risks, facilitating the strengthening of public health through decisions on climate change in other important sectors and establishing interdisciplinary relations to implement adaptation priorities based on science. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina In Brazil, one of the strategies to adapt production to changing weather conditions and avoid the adverse phenomena of climate change is biotechnology, adapting varieties of soybean and bean to global warming. to make sure that scientific results have some impact on the decision making process of farmers in the region, the project had to interact with a regional NGO, which promotes capacity building and exchange of agroecological information among communities of family farmers in northeastern Brazil Mexico informs that actions proposed for adaptation of the agricultural sector to climate change include: Changes in dry-land crop variety: Selection and generation of crop varieties resistant to pests, diseases, drought, poor soils, etc. Climate forecasts may become adaptation measures by themselves, and they would also make it possible for planning in view of likely incidence of extreme climatic events Argentina: typical case of autonomous adaptation (expansion of the agricultural frontier towards the West and the North of the traditional agricultural area, adapted to the strong trends in mean rainfall). Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina a Grant Agreement was signed between the World Bank and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) for the implementation of the Special Programme for Adaptation to Climate Change: Implementation of Adaptation Measures in Coastal Zones (SPACC) Project (2007 2011). Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina The disparity among presentation dates and the delay in submissions may be indicating that environmental issues are not a priority in Latin America and the Caribbean However, adaptation to climate change should be one of the key issues for Latin America, understanding it as the actions allowing ecological, social and economic systems to gradually adapt to the new threats related to global climate factors, in order to reduce their vulnerability. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC) CEPREDENAC, Comit Interinstitucional de Lucha contra la Desertificacin y sequa en Honduras, Federacin de Asociaciones Nacionales de Centro Amrica y el Caribe de Sistemas de Agua (FANCCASA) Climate Change and the Caribbean A Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient climate Change ( ) Fuerza de Tarea Interagencial de Naciones Unidas para la reduccin de desastres La Asociacin Mundial para el Agua (GWP Global Water Partnership) Plan Andino Amaznico de Comunicacin y Educacin Ambiental (PANACEA) Plan Estatal de Accin Climtica de Baja California (PEAC _ BC) PNUD Colombia Programa Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Educacin Ambiental (PLACEA) Proyectos cooperativos con Canad, red Chile, Argentina y Bolivia, para comprender las vulnerabilidades de las comunidades andinas a la variabilidad hidroclimatolgica y cambio climtico Red de Agua y Saneamiento de Guatemala RASGUA Red de Expertos en adaptacin al cambio climtico y servicios ecosistmicos (ADANET) Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climtico (RIOCC) Red latinoamericana del proyecto Prcticas tiles de Adaptacin frente a Eventos Hidrometeorolgicos Asociados al Cambio y la Variabilidad Climtica en Amrica Latina y el Caribe (http.//climadapta.univalle.edu.co) Red Mexicana de Manejo Integrado Costero-Marino (http://www.uacam.mx/epomex/redmanejo/contactanos.html)http://www.uacam.mx/epomex/redmanejo/contactanos.html Rede Agricultura en Brasil (http://www.agrisustentavel.com/)http://www.agrisustentavel.com/ Rede Desertificacao do Semirido Brasileiro Tropical America Katoomba Group (TAKG) Katoomba Group UICN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Mesoamrica We adapt (www.weadapt.org)www.weadapt.org WWF Colombia Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina governments, Countries that have made progress in vulnerability and adaptation studies are the ones that have received external financial support (GEF, World Bank, IDB, etc.) to prepare their inventories and other related activities. Because they are close to people and their problems, contacting governments at the municipality level is usually more effective scientists, A great lack of coordination is observed between natural and social sciences, which is negative environmental issues require a truly interdisciplinary approach civil population inhabitants of the different vulnerable sectors NGOs working in the interface between the two groups described previously and this one. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina An effective network will be one composed by representatives from the three identified groups, one that will be able to take advantage of the inputs of each of them, but overall one that will be able to merge these groups in a true dialogue of mutual feedbacks. Dra. Matilde Rusticucci - Universidad de Buenos Aires - Argentina Muchas gracias! Dra. Matilde Rusticucci Universidad de Buenos Aires Argentina