IPCC and its role
IPCC is an abbreviation for Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change. The body was created by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment program in1988. IPCC’s role is to give authoritative international statements of a specific understanding of climate change (Parry, Cinziani, Palutikof, Van der Linden, Hanson 2007). It investigates all aspects of human activities to identify those that accelerate climate change. Today, the world is experiencing drastic changes in weather patterns. Depletion of the Ozone layer further complicates the scenario by opening the way for harmful rays from the sun. Ice deposits are melting away raising the sea level according to El Raey (2007).
AR4 synthesis report
The AR4 synthesis report is based on an assessment done by the three working groups (I, II, III) of IPCC. It gives climatic change analysis as the final part of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). The report summarizes observable effects, causes, future projections, and adaptation and mitigation options for climate change.
Working Group I
The IPCC Working Group I (WG I) uses a scientific approach to climate change. It considers physical and measurable aspects of climate change such as temperature, rise in sea level, and melting of ice deposits. The group further expounds on the effects of climate change such as desertification, submerged coastlines, and plant and animal diseases. Parry et al (2007) asserted that climate forecasts are formulated from information which is provided by this Working Group.
Working Group II
Parry et al (2007) described the IPCC Working Group II (WG II) as vulnerability assessment stage. It explains the effects of climate change and the adaptation methods used. These two terms (vulnerability and adaptation) are closely related and often considered together. The information is classified into sectors (human health, water resources, food, forestry, ecosystems and industry) and regions (continents and polar zones) going by Parry et al (2007)
Working Group III
The IPCC Working group III (WG III) contains information on mitigation for climate change by reducing or stopping the greenhouse gases emissions and creating means of eliminating them from the atmosphere. It incorporates human activities whether economic or social that adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Ways of dealing with the problem are developed after critically examining all available channels. All stake holders are involved. This is more of a problem solving approach.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Vulnerability is basically the level of exposure and weakness of an aspect with regard to climate change. Here, regional and sectoral ecological systems, socio-economic sectors and human health are assessed for the level of consequences suffered. It is involved more with identification of problems and causes of climate change. A good example is arable soils in low lying coastlines that are prone to flooding.
As earlier noted, mitigation is about solution seeking. Here, the IPCC provides policy makers with ideas on how to tackle climate change. It is a link between the science and the policy makers. It gives the later workable solutions that are aimed at reducing or eradicating natural or human activities that trigger climate change. Examples include the construction of dykes and gabions to curb flooding and the use of energy sources which do not emit carbon dioxide.
Saudi Arabia’s vulnerability to climate change
Saudi Arabian coast is vulnerable to rise in sea level. The Red Sea coast on the West stretches about 1760 kilometers while the Gulf’s Eastern coast is 650 kilometers in length. The coastlines have mangrove forests and coral reefs which have economic importance according to El Raey (2007). Some coastal cities like Jeddah, Yanbu and Gizan remain at risk. Saline water from the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea will interfere with coastal fresh water supplies. Flooding will bring saline water to the aquifers and the estuaries affecting marine life and increasing demand for freshwater from other sources. Agricultural soils along the coastline will be destroyed by salinazation. The sandy beaches will be submerged and eroded and hence lost. The mangrove forests and coral reefs will not be spared either.
Human health is vulnerable due to concentration of allergens in the atmosphere causing allergic reactions and pulmonary diseases. Heat waves in the Arabic region are also a health hazard. Malaria is also prevalent in Saudi Arabia and its effects are felt during the rainy seasons and summer as cited by AFED (2009). Adaptation measures include establishment of institutional monitoring system for tides and systematic observation of the coastline, early warning systems, policy measures and awareness programs (El Raey, 2007).
Government’s response to IPCC reports
The government of Saudi Arabia has responded to IPCC reports by putting into place early warning systems. Remote sensing, for example, captured mega dust-storm which was blown from the Iranian desert over the Gulf covering the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia (AFED, 2009). The government has put in place a policy for establishment of vulnerability assessment to climate change through cooperation with international community. To curb heat associated dangers, the engineering department is designing buildings that take care of heat waves (AFED, 2009).
References
AFED. (2009). Arab Environment Climate Change: Impact of climate change on Arab countries. Web.
Parry , L. M., Cinziani, O. F., Palutikof, J. P., Van der Linden, P. J., and Hanson, C. E. (2007): Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Web.
Raey, E. M. (2007). Impact of sea level rise on the Arab region. Web.