The workshop was sponsored by AIACC, locally hosted by the College of Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires, and organized by the Argentinian participants of AIACC regional studies LA26 and LA27.

The Workshop Report "It's raining, Its pouring....It's time to be adapting"

Workshop Documents

• Final Agenda (MS Word)
• Participants List (pdf)
• Logistical Information for Participants (MS Word)
• Instructions to Speakers (MS Word)
• List of Topics and Questions for Plenary Sessions (MS Word)

Abstracts, Presentations, and Breakout Session Reports

Day1: Tuesday August 24, 2004

Opening Plenary

Official Welcome Ceremony

Plenary: Climate Change Assessments and Capacity Building in Latin America and Caribbean

The AIACC Project. Neil Leary, AIACC Science Director [PPT 720 KB]

Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in the Caribbean – the MACC Project. Neville Trotz, Caribbean Community Secretariat [PPT 120 KB]
[Abstract 28KB]

Capacity Building for Stage II Adaptation to Climate Change in Central America, Mexico and Cuba. Emilio Sempris, CATHALAC [PPT 4.9 MB]
[Abstract 32KB]

Preparations for the 4th Assessment Report of Working Group II of the IPCC. Osvaldo Canziani, Co-Chair, IPCC WGII, Argentina [PPT 560 KB]
[Abstract 36 KB]

The relevance of IHDP for research on global change in Latin America and the Caribbean. Barbara Göbel, IHDP Secretariat, Germany [PPT 352 KB]

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, addressing the challenge of global change in the Americas.” Gustavo Necco, Director, IAI , Brazil [PPT 1.1 MB]
[Abstract 12KB]

UNFCCC National Communications Process and Linkages with AIACC. Martha Perdomo, UNFCCC Secretariat, Germany/Venezuela [PPT 1.5 MB]
[Abstract 32KB]

2nd National Communication of Uruguay. Luis Santos, National Environment Directorate, Uruguay [PPT 20.1MB]
[Abstract 28KB]

Second National Communication of Argentina.” Carlos Scoppa, Argentina [PPT 244 KB]

Day 2: Wednesday August 25, 2004

Plenary: Climate Variability, Changes and Scenarios

Climate variability and trends in Mexico and Argentina. Marta Vinocur (speaker), Roberto Seiler, Universidad de Rio Cuarto, Argentina, and Cecilia Conde, UNAM, Mexico (AIACC Project No. LA29) [PPT 668 KB] (Abstract)

Climate change scenarios and uncertainties in the Caribbean. Anthony Chen, University of West Indies, Jamaica (AIACC Project No. SIS06) [PPT 4.1 MB] (Abstract)

Observed changes in climatic variables relevant for agricultural production during 1930-2000 in the Pampas region of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.Walter Baethgen, IRI-INIA, Uruguay (AIACC Project No. LA27) [PPT 1.1MB ] (Abstract)

Scenarios of climate change projected for the Pampas region of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Graciela Magrin, INTA, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA27) [PPT 2.5MB] (Abstract)

The South American monsoon system in the context of climate change. Carolina Vera, co-chair VAMOS, Argentina. [PPT 13MB] (Abstract)

Modeling extreme surges in the coast of the Rio de la Plata.” Angel Menendez (speaker), University of Buenos Aires and INA, Argentina, and Mariano Re, University of Buenos Aires and INA, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA26) [PPT 12MB] (Abstract)

Southern South American climate trends. Inés Camilloni, University of Buenos Aires, and Moira Doyle, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA26) [PPT 5MB] (Abstract)

Climate Change Scenarios for Southeastern South America.” Mario Bidegain, Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay and Inés Camilloni, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (AIACC Project Nos. LA26 and LA32). [PPT 1.5 MB] (Abstract)


Breakout Sessions 1. The meeting did break into three small groups to discuss questions related to the topics below.

1A: Climate Science Capacity in the LAC Region. Chair: Carlos Fuller, National Meteorological Service, Belize. Discussion of existing capacities in the region for climate system analysis, modeling and scenario construction and needs for enhancing, transferring and sharing capacity. Output: priorities and recommended actions for enhancing, transferring and sharing capacity. (Abstract)

1B: Methods for Climate Change Scenario Construction. Chair: Mario Nuñez, CIMA, Argentina. Discussion of methods and models that are being used in AIACC and other studies in the region to construct regional and local scale scenarios of climate change. Output: lessons for selecting and applying methods and models for constructing climate change scenarios for assessments of vulnerability and adaptation. (PPT]

1C: Observed Climate Trends and Projected Changes. Chair: Vicente Barros, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Discussion of climate changes observed in the region, associated impacts, and projected future changes. Output: observed changes in climate and robust projections of future changes identified. (Abstract)


Plenary: Scenarios of Socioeconomic Changes. Chair: Claudia Natenzon

“Socioeconomic scenarios for the Caribbean.” Charmaine Heslop-Thomas, University of West Indies, Jamaica (AIACC Project No. SIS06) [PPT 5.3 MB] (Abstract)

“Socioeconomic and climate scenarios for Central America.” Jaime Echeverria, Costa Rica (AIACC Project No. LA06) [PPT 2.4 MB] (Abstract)

Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerability. Chair: Agustin Gimenez
“Expected impacts of climate change on crop yields in the Pampas region of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.” Maria Travasso, INTA, Argentina. (AIACC Project No. LA27) [PPT 904 KB] (Abstract)

“Expected impacts of climate change on the incidence of crop disease in the Pampas region of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.” M. Fernandes, EMBRAPA, Brazil. (AIACC Project No. LA27) [PPT 6.9 MB] (Abstract)

“Agricultural impacts of climate in Mexico and Argentina.” Cecilia Conde (speaker), UNAM, Mexico, Roberto Seiler and Marta Vinocur, Universidad de Rio Cuarto, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA29) [PPT 1.6 MB] (Abstract)


Day 3: Thursday, 26 August 2004

Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerability (continued)
Chair: Graciela Magrin

Climate change scenarios and impacts on the biomes of South America.” Carlos Nobre, CPTEC/INPE, Brazil [PPT 2.1 MB] (Abstract)

Vulnerability of Water Resources and Trophic State of the Santa Lucía river lower basin and estuary to Climate Variability and Change. Caffera MR (speaker), M Bidegain, F Blixen, CH López, JJ Lagomarsino, GJ Nagy (speaker) and K Sans. Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay (AIACC Project No. LA32) [PPT 3.6 MB] (Abstract)

Vulnerability of the Northern coast of the Rio de la Plata in the vicinities of Montevideo. Kokot R, EA Forbes, MJ Dabezies, GJ Nagy (speaker), A Ponce (speaker), V Pshennikov and R Silva. Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay (AIACC Project No. LA32) [PPT 1.6] (Abstract)

Climate variability impacts on Dengue and vulnerability in the Caribbean.” Dharmaratne Amarakoon, University of West Indies, Jamaica/Sri Lanka (AIACC Project No. SIS06) [PPT 2.2 MB] (Abstract)

Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerability (continued). Chair: Gustavo Nagy
Impacts and vulnerability

Vulnerability of the Caribbean to Climate Change, The Coastal Zone of Belize. Carlos Fuller, National Meteorological Service, Belize [PPT 3.6 MB] (Abstract)

The coast of the Rio de la Plata and the Parana delta front: present evolution. Jorge Codignotto, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA26) [PPT 13.1 MB] (Abstract)

Return periods of floods over the coastal lands of the Rio de la Plata. Roberto Kokot (speaker), Angel Menendez (speaker), Enrique D’Onofrio, Vicente Barros and Monica Fiore, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA26) [PPT 30.2 MB] (Abstract)

Case studies of social and institutional vulnerability: La Boca and Avellaneda neighborhoods. Claudia Natenzon (speaker) and Silvia Gonzalez, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA26) [PPT 1.3 MB] (Abstract)


Breakout Sessions 2.

2A: Present Day Climate Risks. Chair: Sam Rawlins, Caribbean Epidemiology Center, Trinidad and Tobago. Discussion of present day climate hazards, vulnerabilities, means of coping with climate hazards, and consequences for poverty reduction, sustainable management of resources, and development. Output: lessons from present day climate hazards identified that can be applied to understanding, managing and adapting to future climate risks. (Abstract)

2B: Methods and Tools for V&A Assessment. Chair: Alex de Sherbinin, CIESIN, USA. Discussion of methods and tools that are being used in AIACC and other studies in the region to assess climate change vulnerability and adaptation, methodological advances, and the UNFCCC’s Compendium of V&A Assessment Methods and Tools. Output: recommendations for improving knowledge of and access to V&A assessment methods and tools and identify potential contributions to the UNFCCC’s compendium of methods and tools. (Abstract)

2C: Capacity needs for V&A Assessment. Chair: Cecilia Conde, UNAM, Mexico. Discussion of existing capacities in the region for V&A assessment and needs for enhancing, transferring and sharing capacity. Output: priorities and recommended actions for enhancing, transferring and sharing capacity. (Abstract)

Plenary: Adaptation Opportunities and Capacity. Chair: Avis Robinson

Assessing adaptive capacity of farmers in Mexico and Argentina.” Hallie Eakin (speaker), UNAM, Mexico/USA, and Monica Wehbe, Universidad de Rio Cuarto, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA29) [PPT 1.2 MB] (Abstract)

Climate changes and water management: an overview.” Luis Mata, University of Bonn, Germany/Venezuela [PPT 5.3 MB] (Abstract)

Adaptive capacity and sustainability of coastal fishermen of the Uruguayan coast of the Rio de la Plata river estuary to hydroclimatic variability, climate changes and other stressors. Norbis W, GJ Nagy (speaker), A Ponce (speaker), V Pshennikov, G Saona, G Sención, R Silva and J Verocai. Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay (AIACC Project No. LA32) [PPT 1.6 MB] (Abstract)

A case study of water management, adaptation and climate change in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.” Max Campos, Central America Integration System Comite Regional de Recursos Hidrualicos, Costa Rica, and Roy Barboza, Central American Bank for Economic Integration, (AIACC Project No. LA06) [PPT 508 KB]

Day 4: Friday, 27 August 2004

Breakout Sessions 3.

3A: Supporting Decision-Making and National Communications with Assessments. Chair: Max Campos, Comite Regional de Recursos Hidraulicos, Costa Rica. Discussion of the effectiveness of climate change assessments for supporting decisions that reduce climate risks, their contributions to National Communications, design of assessments to serve decision needs, and the role of stakeholders in assessments. Output: recommendations for improved assessments that better serve decision-making needs and National Communications. (Abstract)

3B: Integrating adaptation into development policies. Chair: Ian Burton, University of Toronto, Canada. Discussion of objectives, means and examples for integrating climate change adaptation with development processes and plans. Output: recommendations for integrating adaptation into development processes and plans. (Abstract)

3C: Building Upon the AIACC Project. Chair: Walter Baethgen, IRI-INIA, Uruguay. Discussion of objectives and modes for follow-on activities to the AIACC project. Output: draft plan for follow-on activities. [PPT]

Plenary Session

Adaptation, Stakeholders, and Linking to Decision Making. Chair: Marta Perdomo
Challenges for adaptation research in the Caribbean. Neville Trotz, MACC [PPT 84 KB] (Abstract)

Stakeholder interaction on issues of climate vulnerability: illustrations from Cordoba Province, Argentina and Coatepec, Veracruz. Monica Wehbe (speaker), Universidad de Rio Cuarto, Argentina, and Hallie Eakin, UNAM, Mexico/USA (AIACC Project No. LA29) [PPT 1.3 MB] (Abstract)

Stakeholder engagement and links to decision-making for adaptation to climate change and variability impacting on Dengue Fever in the Caribbean. Samuel Rawlins, Caribbean Epidemiology Center, Trinidad and Tobago (AIACC Project No. SIS06) [PPT 352 KB] (Abstract)

Stakeholders Perception and Participation in the Integrated Management of Water Resources under Scenarios of Climate Change in Uruguay: The case for Santa Lucia river basin. R. Torres, Chief of the Uruguayan Directorate of Water Resources. (AIACC Project No. LA32) [PPT 1.1 MB] (Abstract)

Climate change in the environmental agenda for Argentina. Vicente Barros (speaker), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (AIACC Project No. LA26), Hernan Carlino (speaker), Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development, Argentina, and Daniel Percczyk, Di Tella Foundation, Argentina [PPT 2.1 MB] (Abstract)