Adaptation Measures

5.1.1 Distributional Effects  

The design of adaptive responses should vary by locality, sector, and demographic group.  

There is a regional texture to changes in climate and, therefore, to the effects of climate change

(Shriner and Street, 1997; Scheraga, 1998).  The unique location of the entire Great Lakes

region – halfway between the equator and North Pole within a large continental land mass and

co-located with the largest lakes in the world – gives it a unique climate.  Warm summers, cold

winters, and significant precipitation year-round characterize this climate.  But within the

region, there are significant variations in local climates.  The Great Lakes are large enough and

close enough to each other to exert significant impacts on local and regional weather. Areas in

the north and west have lower temperatures, a larger seasonal temperature range, and less annual

and less seasonally distributed precipitation than areas in the south and east.  Areas close to the

lakes have a smaller annual temperature range than areas farther away (Sousounis and Bisanz,

2000).  

In the same way that there is a regional texture to

Adaptive strategies must be tailored to

ongoing climate change, there is a regional texture

specific effects in specific locations.

to the risks and opportunities presented by climate

change.  The human and ecological systems that

are sensitive to climate change, and the degree to which they are vulnerable, will vary

geographically.  Even within specific geographic locations, the effects of climate change will

vary across systems, sectors, and demographic groups.  

CASE STUDY  

Regional and Distributional Effects of Changes in Heavy Lake-effect Snowstorms

Consider, for example, the effects of an expected decrease in the frequency of heavy lake-effect

snowstorms near Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes (Kunkel et al., 2000).  Such a change would

yield benefits in some locations as the cost of snow removal declines and the frequency of

transportation disruptions decreases.  But in the southern portions of the Great Lakes, the winter

recreational industry will be adversely affected.  As illustrated by the experience of the 1997-1998 El

Niño year, the financial losses could be significant.  During the 1997-1998 period, business at

midwestern ski resorts declined 50 % and losses were estimated at $120 million.  

Particular demographic groups may also be differentially affected by climate change.  Consider,

for example, that climate change will likely increase the frequency and severity of very hot days

and heat waves during the summer.  Studies in urban areas show an association between

increases in mortality and increases in heat (McGeehin and Mirabelli, 2001).  The risk of heat

stress may rise as a result of climate change (Kalkstein and Greene, 1997).  The most vulnerable

populations within heat-sensitive regions are urban populations.  Within these vulnerable

populations, the elderly, young children, the poor, and people who are bedridden or are on

certain medications are at particular risk.

To be effective, adaptive responses must target these vulnerable regions and demographic

groups, some of which may be difficult to reach (Chestnut et al., 1998).  For example, the

elderly are less likely to perceive excess heat (Blum et al., 1998).  They may be socially isolated

and physically frail (Semenza et al., 1996; Kilbourne et al., 1982).  This may make it difficult to

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