The approach used in preparing the assessment was agreed by the lead authors at a series of scoping meetings held in Washington, DC, in May and September 1996, which set the direction of the assessment when it was being prepared as a technical paper. These meetings were used to review materials from the sectoral assessments of the SAR and organize them into regional analyses, and to identify common issues across the regions and standardize approaches to addressing them. On the basis of these meetings, the lead authors set about preparing each chapter to provide an assessment of the vulnerability of natural ecosystems, socioeconomic sectors, and human health in the region. The responses may result in either beneficial or harmful effects. Adaptation is defined as adjustments in practices, processes, or structures in response to projected or actual changes in climate.
Adjustments can be either spontaneous or planned, reactive or anticipatory.
Adaptations can reduce negative impacts or take advantage of new opportunities presented by changing climate conditions. This report is based upon evidence found in the published literature, which uses a diverse range of methods and models. This diversity reflects current uncertainties regarding the functioning of complex natural and social systems and how they respond to changes in climate. The assessment did not include the performance of new research or computer model simulations by the authors to estimate impacts under common scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions or climate change. Such work was beyond the scope of the report.