Climate Change, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation : Understanding and Addressing Threats with Insights for Policy and Practice

This contributed volume offers a wide variety of cases exploring how humanity can adapt to a changing climate. The volume features a wide variety of contributions from geographers, primarily in India but with plenty of global cases to provide a broad comparative perspective. A primary goal of this book is to bridge the gap from conceptual and data-driven analysis of climate change and adaptation to practical planning approaches and strategies. The book compiles contributions that address human well-being and environmental effects related to climate change, including analysis and modelling of ecosystem services, socio-ecological research and sustainable governance of ecosystems. Results reported in this book are conducive to a better understanding of the climate emergency, climate-related impacts and adaptation and mitigation strategies. The cases here also provide researchers with new examples of applications of vulnerability assessment methods. The volume offers insights regardingvulnerable areas in India, an exploration of how some regions have coped with these issues, and a discussion of the impacts that public policy has had on vulnerability in the regions studied. The focus on vulnerability will assist decision-makers in and outside India in targeting policies aimed at poverty reduction in agricultural communities as well. Though the cases here primarily focus on India, the methodologies presented here are transferable to many other parts of the world.

Dr. Singh’s research work is original and outstanding. Her work has won few laurels like DAAD Fellow (2000) ‘Citation for outstanding contribution in the field of Environmental issues ‘, by CLUMA, NRSA, DOS etc. (2005), Basic Science Research Award by UGC (2011), Professor Emeritus by UGC (2011) and National Fellowship (2011) etc. Her notable works include research projects , titled ‘ Aligarh Environment Study’ (1992-95 sponsored by IIED, London,CSE, Delhi), ‘Modelling of city structure for a better Urban Environmental Management’ (2000-02,sponsored by DAAD, Leipzig,Germany, DST, Delhi), ‘Women’s Work and Health in rural areas (2001-04, UGC), Urban Sprawl causes, consequences and policies (2008-11, UGC ) and ‘Urban Rural Linkages and Environmental Issues ‘ (2011-14, BSR-UGC). She has successfully guided 31 M.Phil. and PhD thesis. She is a member of enumerable academic and professional societies, viz; Full Member of International Geographical Union Commission on Marginal and Critical Regions; corresponding member of IGU Commission on Environment and Health, INSA, UGC, ICSSR etc. She has been conferred with prestigious LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for her immense contributions in the field of Agriculture, Environment and Urban issues under the seal of centre for Landuse Management, Hyderabad, Telangana on the occasion of 41 Indian Geography Conference held at Sagar Madhya Pradesh, 2019.

Dr. Saleha Jamal, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Aligarh Muslim University completed her B.Sc. (2006), M.Sc (2008) and Ph.D (2012) from Aligarh Muslim University, India. Throughout she had a brilliant academic career having obtained University Gold Medal for first position in B.Sc and M.Sc. She has more than ten years of teaching experience at UG and PG level.

She has been awarded with various prestigious scholarships (Post Graduate Merit Scholarship, INSPIRE Fellowship by DST, Government of India) and best paper presentation awards like “Young Geographer Award at Banaras Hindu University in 2010”, “Prof. N.P. Aiyyer Young Geographer Award at Punjab University in 2010”, “Nishi Gaur Young Researcher Award at DDU Gorakhpur University in 2012” and other academic awards like “Best Researcher Award at Aligarh Muslim University in 2011”  and “Special Recognition Award in the World Wetland Day Conference at Thane in 2021”  “1^st Prize in oral presentation in the World Wetland Day Conference 16^th National Conference on Wetlands”at Mumbai in 2022” “Best Geography Teacher Award, 2023” by the Deccan Geographical Society of India in XVII DGSI International Geography Congress, “Recognition for Contributions to Science in STEM disciplines” by the Indo-US APJ Abdul Kalam STEM Centre of the Ohio State University and Aligarh Muslim University of Education and Research etc.

She specializes in the field of Environmental issues, urban and related health issues etc. She is an active researcher and a prolific writer and has published six books on issues like Indoor Air Pollution, Urban-Rural Linkages, Water Supply and Sanitation for the Urban Poor in India, Monitoring and Managing Natural Resources, Neighbourhood concept etc. and more than sixty research papers on issues related to land use land cover changes, environment, urban,and health in National and International journals of repute. She has completed one major project awarded by IMPRESS (ICSSR) entitled “Environmental and Health Consequences of Slaughter Houses: A study of slaughter houses located on the outskirts of Aligarh city” and presently she is working with another major project awarded by ICSSR entitled “Planning Wetland Management with Land Transformation Trends Using Geo-Spatial Approach: A Case Study of Aligarh District, Uttar Pradesh, India”

Dr. Wani Suhail Ahmad, an accomplished Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Ladakh, is a prominent figure in thefield of Geospatial Sciences and Environmental Geography. Born on January 20, 1992, in Anantnag, UT Jammu & Kashmir, India, Dr. Ahmad has emerged as a leading researcher and educator, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of academia. His academic journey is marked by stellar achievements, including the completion of a Ph.D. in Environmental Geography from Aligarh Muslim University in 2021. Dr. Ahmad's research prowess is showcased in his diverse skill set, ranging from proficiency in Google Earth Engine and Digital Image Processing to expertise in Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Ladakh since March 30, 2023, Dr. Ahmad has seamlessly integrated his teaching and research roles. His dedication to shaping the next generation of geographers is evident in the supervision of M.A./M.Sc. dissertations, where he guides students in exploring the glacial landscapes of Ladakh and studying land transformation in the Trans Himalayas. His impactreverberates through numerous published articles in esteemed journals like Applied Geomatics, Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes, Environment, Development and Sustainability, and many others. Beyond academia, Dr. Ahmad is a sought-after reviewer for reputable journals, contributing to the peer-review process for publications in esteemed outlets such as Springer, Taylor & Francis, and Elsevier. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Ahmad has been honored with various awards, including the prestigious Young Researcher Award in 2021 and a Bachelor's degree where he stood First in the Social Sciences faculty, earning the prestigious University Gold Medal Award. He is a UGC-NET qualifier multiple times, showcasing his excellence in national-level examinations. In summary, Dr. Wani Suhail Ahmad's journey is characterized by a fervent dedication to advancing geographical knowledge, a commitment to environmental sustainability, and a vision for a future where geospatial sciences play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges. His impact resonates through the pages of journals, the halls of academia, and the minds of the students he guides towards a deeper understanding of our world.