Climate vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, and unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate stress. In the southern Africa vulnerability arises from poverty and limited livelihood options, high reliance on rainfed agriculture and natural resources, widespread food insecurity, a high burden of disease, and other forms of human insecurity.
Decades of past research and ongoing research efforts into understanding the current and future impacts of climate change across the world and in various sectors sends a clear message: the poorest and least developed countries, and the poorest people in those countries, are the most vulnerable to climate-related risks (IPCC,2007a). Southern Africa is one such region, considered to be highly vulnerable.
recommended citation Midgley, S.J.E., Davies, R.A.G. and Chesterman, S. 2011. Climate Risk and Vulnerability Mapping in Southern Africa: Status quo (2008) and future (2050). For the Regional Climate Change Programme for Southern Africa (RCCP), UK Department for International Development (DFID). OneWorld Sustainable Investments, Cape Town.
