Discussion Leaders: Michael Schmidt and Adam Rose

Notes by Shuang-Ye Wu

1. Climate-sensitive industries (sectors):

• Electricity Utilities
• Coal
• Other primary and secondary energy sectors
• Recreation and tourism
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Water
• Healthcare
• Infrastructure
• Insurance
• Other sectors

2. What we learned from the report?

• Innate economic stability
• What the economy of MARA region is like (industry is diverse).
• Degree of water use by region’s industries
• Useful case studies to illustrate many issues
• Interconnection between this region and the rest of the world

2. What is problematic with the Report?

• Risk of extreme events is underestimated
• Gaps between sector impacts and the impact on overall economy
• Absence of the analysis and data on energy sector
• Need more links of the MARA sectors with the rest of the world
• Not enough on impacts from climate variability

4. What to do next?

• More useful case studies, particularly to illustrate interdependence among industries: e.g. coal mining, iron and steel, and utilities.
• Distribution of impacts: urban-rural; socio-economic; demographic; interest groups.
• Communication with different groups, using different packaging of information and scientific knowledge.
• To highlight what is of most direct concerns to industries.