2. Method I

To address our research questions, we have chosen to do a vulnerability mapping. Vulnerability is defined by the IPCC (2007) as “the degree to which a system is susceptible to, and unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate change and variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity” (Appendix I; pag. 93).

We examine this aspect because considering only climate impacts in themselves does not allow for defining the holistic social, economic and ecological consequences of climate change. The local structures of the society, of the economy, of the institutions, etc. do also play a role. Consider, for example, a region located at 2300 meters a.s.l. in which permafrost is present. With climate change, for a time horizon of 2050, permafrost will very probably melt at this altitude, therefore exposing the region to climate variations. If, in addition, on these slopes there is heavy ski activity and if the community highly depends on this activity, then the region is also sensitive because the infrastructure (the pylons, etc) could be damaged. This could trigger high economic and social costs if infrastructure needs to be repaired or if the ski activity should be abandoned. Finally, if the region does not, for example, have the money, the knowledge, the willingness, or the technology to adapt, then it has also a low adaptive capacity and could be defined as vulnerable. On the opposite, a lowland region could suffer from  high snowpack reduction and therefore a highly exposed in this sense. However, if the snow-dependent activity is of small importance in the region, then it is not sensitive in this regard. If, moreover, the region has already some past experiences in adaptation processes in the tourism sector or if it has the economic resources to face the impacts and the political willingness to act, then it has a high adaptive capacity and it can be considered as weakly vulnerable.

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