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9 The ImpactsofClimateChangeonEcosystemServices… 225
9.2 ConceptualFrameworkforUnderstanding theRole
ofEcosystemServices
Theworking definitionwe use in this chapter refers to losses and damages as the
adverse effects of climate-related stressors that cannot beor havenot beenavoided
throughmitigation or managed through adaptation efforts (adapted fromVan der
Geest andWarner 2015). Following from this definition is the notion that there is
a conceptual difference between climate impacts and losses and damages.Despite
its negative connotation, the concept of losses and damages gives central stage to
the role ofmitigation and adaptation and the opportunities that exist for avoiding
harm,asillustratedinFig.9.1.However, toomanyopportunities tomitigateoradapt
aremissedbecauseofadaptationconstraints, suchasduetoa lackinunderstanding,
deficitsinlong-termcommitmentandmotivation,andinadequatefinancialresources
(Ayeb-Karlssonet al. 2016).Lossesanddamages result fromthese failures.
Thepurposeofthisframeworkistoillustratethecentralfocusandstorylineinthis
chapter. It doesnot elaborateonall elementsand relationsof thecomplex realityof
climatechange, impacts, andadaptation.Startingat the topof thediagram,climatic
stressors affect human systems and natural systems. Impacts on human systems
can be direct, or indirect through damage to natural systems and the ecosystem
services they provide to society.Whenhuman systems are affected—be it directly
or indirectly—adaptationoptionsmayexist. Ifadaptationmeasuresareadoptedand
successful, there are no losses and damages. If there are no adaptation options at
all,whenadaptation limitshavebeensurpassed, then lossesanddamages tohuman
systems is inevitable. If there are possibilities to adapt, but adaptation action does
notmaterialiseor is not efficient becauseof adaptationconstraints, thenactorswill
also incur losses and damages. Often, successful adaptation is possible in theory,
but doesn’t happen in practice because of adaptation constraints, such as lack of
knowledge, skills, and resources (chapterbySchinkoet al. this2018).
Fig.9.1 Conceptual framework forunderstanding the roleofecosystemservices
Loss and Damage from Climate Change
Concepts, Methods and Policy Options
- Title
- Loss and Damage from Climate Change
- Subtitle
- Concepts, Methods and Policy Options
- Authors
- Reinhard Mechler
- Laurens M. Bouwer
- Thomas Schinko
- Swenja Surminski
- JoAnne Linnerooth-Bayer
- Publisher
- Springer Open
- Date
- 2019
- Language
- English
- License
- CC BY 4.0
- ISBN
- 978-3-319-72026-5
- Size
- 16.0 x 24.0 cm
- Pages
- 580
- Keywords
- Environment, Climate change, Environmental law, Environmental policy, Risk management
- Categories
- International
- Naturwissenschaften Umwelt und Klima