Welcome to the Living in a Changing Climate newsletter!

This quarterly update, jointly issued by IUCN and CARE International, informs you about the latest news on climate change adaptation in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. IUCN and CARE International conduct projects titled “Building Resilience to Climate Change Impacts ―Coastal Southeast Asia” (BCR) and “Building Costal Resilience to Reduce Climate Change Impact in Thailand and Indonesia" (BCR-CC) funded by the European Union.

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First BCR Coastal Forum 2012: some impressions
 

I was part of the Vietnamese group that attended the first EU-funded Building Coastal Resilience (BCR) Coastal Forum that was held in Chanthaburi, Thailand on February 29-March 2, 2012. Throughout the three days, I was impressed by the high level of participation, the high quality of most of the presentations, and the amount that the three BCR countries - Thailand, Cambodia, and Viet Nam - can learn from each other. 

Making sense of climate change

“We know that climate change is important but the topic itself is so hard to understand,” a Thai journalist mentioned to me when we talked over dinner about media coverage of climate change".

Cambodia

Cambodian BCR team ran vulnerability capacity assessment in Koh Kong

Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS), located in the Koh Kong province. PKWS, mainly compounded by small alluvial islands, supports one of the most undisturbed mangrove forests in Cambodia and therefore in the Gulf of Thailand. It is a spawning and nursery ground for many marine resources. The livelihood of approximately 10,000 habitants relies on fisheries and ecosystem services that the sanctuary provides.

People of Koh Kapik brainstormed to draft adaptation plan

IUCN Cambodia conducted a Promoting Local Innovation workshop in Koh Kapik Commune, Cambodia, during 12-14 Mar 2012. This was aiming to identify and prioritize local adaptation activities to be supported by the project in Koh Kapik Commune. The representatives of Provincial Environment Department, local community and IUCN staff participated in this workshop.

Indonesia

Traditional crab fishing as a way to secure livelihoods in the face of climate change

Consequences of climate change in Southern Sulawesi include frequent flooding, which puts the livelihoods of many people in this area at risk, who depend on ecosystem-based services such as fishing for their main source of income.

Thailand

Less water, more concern raises for climate change

Ban Rong Mai – “Come in, take a shower, it is so hot today,” that is such a strange but sweet welcome for two uninvited Vietnamese guests, like us, on arriving at Ban Rong Mai village, Bang Chan Sub-distrcit, Klung District, Chanthaburi province, Thailand.

CVCA participatory tools: linking community knowledge to climate science

One of the challenges of working on climate change adaptation at the local level is the lack of scaled-down information on impacts of climate change on local communities. This is coupled with inadequate data and information on weather and climate predictions at the local level.

Thai Small-scale Fisher-folks Network announced its declaration

This declaration represents the consolidated standpoint of small-scale coastal fisher-folk communities from both the Eastern Region and Southern Region of Thailand regarding their fundamental rights in protecting, conserving, rehabilitating and making use of coastal resources and coastal land in support of their livelihood security, food security and financial security.

Finding solutions for drinking water in Bang Chan sub-district

From the present to the future of resiliency: The case of Baan Bor Id village, Chumpon Province

Raks Thai finally completed the trainings on CVCA (Community Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis) for representatives from local government, civil society, and the community in 4 provinces.

Building Firm Foundations for Climate Change Adaptation in Bang Chan Sub-district
Why addressing existing sensitivities is a key first step in adapting to climate change.
 

Bang Chan Sub-district is located in Klung District, Chanthaburi Province in Eastern Thailand. The word klung is used to refer to frequently flooded low-lying areas, which already gives you some clues to the nature of Bang Chan Sub-district.

Mobilizing communities towards increased resilience in climate change

An interview with Prasarn Satarnsathit, the Project Manager of BCR CC Raks Thai Foundation.

Interview with Dararat Weerapong

Dararat Weerapong is a new member of BCR project team. She serves as a Senior Communications Officer for Southeast Asia Group of IUCN. Apart from BCR, she also acts as a communications focal point for IUCN’s Mekong Water Dialogues. Prior to IUCN, she worked for Thailand Environment Institute, WWF, Stockholm Environment Institute and UNESCO Bangkok. She will share with us about her views on communications.