GIS Hazard Assessments as the First Step to Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

A scientific consensus exists regarding the significant impacts of global climate change over coastal zones. These effects include sea level rise, variability in the patterns of rainfall and runoff and changes in frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme wave events. Natural disasters have substantial adverse impacts on human activities and structures as well as on social and political concerns of human life and ecological and conservation aspects. In this work, a detailed methodology for the evaluation and characterization of coastal hazard associated with extreme wave events was developed under a GIS environment and tested and applied in Cartagena city, located in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The analysis was prepared utilizing a semi-quantitative approximation method, involving variables representative of intrinsic coastal zone properties and extreme wave related hazards using GIS analytical tools. Results obtained reveal that there are several areas affected by extremely high erosion, inundation, and flooding. Hazard maps generated with this methodology are the first step in any Climate Change Adaptation strategy to be used. In the same way is a guideline contributing to the determination of causes, processes, and consequences derived from hazards magnified due climate change.