Front Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contributors -- Abbreviations -- Overview -- Climate Has Shaped the Cultures of Arab Countries -- 1 Climate Change Is Happening Now, and People Are Affected in Arab Countries -- A Harsh Environment Has Shaped the Cultures in the Region -- Climate Change Is Happening Now -- The Effects of Climate Change Are Socially Differentiated -- Climate Change Adaptation Is about Reducing Vulnerability -- Climate Change Adaptation Should Be an Integrated Part of Public Sector Management for Sustainable Development -- Notes -- References -- 2 Ways Forward for Climatology -- Despite Sparse Observational Data, the Projections Are That Most of the Arab Region Is Becoming Hotter and Drier -- IPCC AR4 Projects Warming and Aridity -- Downscaled Projections Are Available for the Region -- Sea Levels Will Continue to Rise -- A New Round of Improved Projections Is Coming -- Annex 2C: Dealing with Climate Risks-A Checklist -- Notes -- References -- Spotlight 1: Climate Resilience Disasters Risk Management Increases Climate Resilience -- Climate Disasters Are Increasing in Frequency -- Disaster Risk Management Increases Climate Resilience -- The Hazard Risk Profile of the Arab States Is Changing -- Arab States Are Responding to Mitigate Climate Threats -- Gaps and Constraints Exist in Arab DRM Policies -- Recommendations to Build Resilience in the Arab Countries -- Notes -- References -- 3 Climate Change Contributes to Water Scarcity -- Climate Change Will Have Diverse Impacts on Hydrometeorological Conditions -- The Arab Region Is Water Scarce -- Managing Water Resources Is Critical in a Changing Climate -- Long-Term Adaptation Strategies Can Reduce the Water Gap -- Notes -- References.

Spotlight 2: Climate Adaptation Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Have a Role in Climate Adaptation -- Biodiversity in the Arab Region Is of Global Importance for Agriculture and Adaptation -- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Are Important for Economies and Livelihoods -- Managing Risks from Climate Change and Other Pressures Is Imperative -- Management of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Is Essential -- References -- 4 Agriculture, Rural Livelihoods, and Food Security Are Stressed in a Changing Climate -- Agriculture Is Essential for the Economy, Food Security, and Livelihoods in the Region -- Agriculture Is under Stress from Water Scarcity and Population Growth -- Climate Change Affects Farming Systems and Rural Livelihoods -- A Range of Adaptation Options Are Available -- Effective Adaptation Requires Policy Reforms and Support Programs -- Ways Forward to Reduce Climate Stress -- Note -- References -- 5 Climate Change Affects Urban Livelihoods and Living Conditions -- Climate Change Threatens Cities -- Cities Are Changing and Becoming More Exposed -- Cities Struggle to Provide Water for an Increasingly Difficult Scenario -- Arab Cities Are Responding to Climate Changes -- Weak Governance Contributes to Lack of Adaptation Action -- Policy Makers Have Opportunities to Make Cities More Resilient -- Note -- References -- 6 Tourism Can Promote Economic Growth and Climate Resilience -- Tourism Is Important for Economic Growth, Foreign Exchange, and Employment -- Climate Change Has a Significant Impact on the Tourism Industry -- The Tourism Industry Depends on Climate Adaptation -- Private and Public Sector Interventions Are Needed for Sustainable Tourism -- Notes -- References -- 7 Gender-Responsive Climate Change Adaptation: Ensuring Effectiveness and Sustainability -- Background.

Gender Roles and Relations Help Shape Responses to Climate Change in Arab Countries -- Regional Case Studies Demonstrate How Gender Consideration Makes a Difference in Adaptation -- Multiple Approaches Are Needed to Incorporate a Gender Perspective in Adaptation -- Key Messages -- Notes -- References -- 8 Human Health and Well-Being Are Threatened by Climate Change -- Climate Change Threatens Human Health in the Region -- Some Population Groups Are Particularly Vulnerable -- Data and Research Are Needed to Fill Gaps -- Adaptive Strategies Exist to Improve Human Health and Strengthen the Health Sector -- Upgrading of Public Health Systems Is Necessary -- Key Messages -- Notes -- References -- 9 Implement Policy Responses to Increase Climate Resilience -- Adaptation Is an Integrated Part of Public Sector Management for Sustainable Development -- Leadership Is Central for Successful Adaptation -- Policy Options Are Available to Support Climate Change Adaptation -- 1. Facilitate the Development of Publicly Accessible and Reliable Information and Analyses Related to Adaptation -- 2. Provide Human and Technical Resources and Services to Support Adaptation -- 3. Build Climate Resilience of the Poor and Vulnerable through Social Protection and Other Measures -- 4. Develop a Supportive Policy and Institutional Framework for Adaptation -- 5. Build Capacity to Generate and Manage Revenue and to Analyze Financial Needs and Opportunities -- Applying Policy Recommendations to Address Key Climate Change Issues -- Note -- References -- Index -- Boxes -- Figures -- Maps -- Tables -- Back Cover.