Climatic Change http://doi.org/j6z (2012)

The intensification of extreme droughts from climate change raises concerns about how to respond to such events. Building adaptive capacity — the ability to prepare for stresses and changes or adjust and respond to their effects — can help to reduce drought impacts, but it requires a good understanding of governance and the institutional determinants of adaptive capacity.

Drought preparedness in the form of monitoring and early warning systems, impact assessment, and mitigation and response, is an important part of adaptive capacity. While at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington DC, USA, Nathan L. Engle investigated drought-preparedness measures during recent extreme events in Arizona and Georgia. His empirical assessment found that adaptive capacity is highest when drought preparedness is managed at the local level, plans and monitoring are flexible, and the informational support system is comprehensive. Moreover, he highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration, of considering climate change at planning stages, and of making boundary organizations accessible and active in water management and drought-planning efforts.