Outlook on climate change adaptation in the Tropical Andes mountains

Summary of key hazards, vulnerabilities and risks (continued)

Key Vulnerability

Key Risk

Climate Hazards

Shift of seasons

INSTITUTIONAL

• Mostly in the Altiplano and southern Peru. Too much precipitation. • Communities lacking water management infrastructure to store excess water for later use. NB Rainfall (precipitation) does not fall uniformly across the Tropical Andes. It varies from north to south and east to west. Precipitation also varies from one season to another. While the overall annual precipitation has remained the same, it is the seasons of rainfall that are changing the most. During the rainy season, precipitation is becoming concentrated in fewer rainy days with a higher intensity. • Areas already experiencing problems with flooding (mainly Ecuador and Colombia). The north-western Tropical Andes in and around Ecuador are predicted to see the highest increase in precipitation. • High geographic exposure of agricultural and farming land, homes, property and assets, including physical exposure of rural and urban populations to potentially flooded areas. Urban populations are especially densely populated, rural populations are often even less protected and the poorest are the most vulnerable. • Areas with inadequate flood protection and drainage infrastructure. • Ageing energy infrastructure located in downstream flood- prone areas. • Poor land management and spatial planning practices. • Exposed mining facilities containing polluting substances. • Insufficient governmental dedication to disaster risk management.

• Economic loss and exacerbation of poverty due to lack of irrigation, resulting in lower yield and crop failure, which in turn can lead to malnutrition and its related health risks. • Increased infectious diseases due to lack of water for sanitation.

• Change of precipitation patterns • Concentration of rainy season

Floods

SOCIAL ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL

• Death, injury and loss of other valuables. • Risk of reversal of progress in reducing poverty andmalnutrition. • Displacement of population, causing unrest elsewhere. • Increased landslide risk (exacerbated by deforestation and inadequate landmanagement). • Damage to infrastructure, including hydropower systems, economic loss. • Loss of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and soil protection. • Spread of pollutants from mining areas with inadequate flooding protection, leading to health and environmental risks.

• Increase in annual precipitation • Changes in run-off pattern • Increase in frequency of floods

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