Brings us completely up-to-date on the vulnerability of socio-economic and natural systems to climate change.

Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability is the most comprehensive and up-to-date scientific assessment of the consequences of, and adaptation responses to, climate change. The report:
* Evaluates evidence that recent observed changes in climate have already affected a variety of physical and biological systems.
* Studies the vulnerabilities of human populations to future climate change, including associated sea-level rise and climate extremes such as floods.
* Takes into account potential impacts on water resources, agriculture and food, human health, settlements, and economic activities.
* Assesses potential responses to climate change of natural environments and the wildlife that inhabit them and identifies environments at particular risk.
* Considers how adaptation to climate change might lessen adverse impacts or enhance beneficial impacts.
* Provides an overview of the vulnerabilities and adaptation possibilities for all major regions of the world.
* Contrasts the different vulnerabilities of the developed and developing parts of the world and explores the implications for sustainable development and equity concerns.This latest IPCC assessment will again form the standard scientific reference for all concerned with environmental and social consequences of climate change, including students and researchers in environmental and social sciences, and policymakers and managers in governmental, industry and other organizations responsible for resources likely to be affected by climate change.

Summary for policymakers
Technical summary
Part I. Setting the Stage for Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment: 1. Overview
2. Methods and tools
3. Development and application of scenarios in Climate Change Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment
Part II. Sectors and Systems: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: 4. Hydrology and water resources
5. Natural and managed ecosystems
6. Coastal zones and marine ecosystems
7. Energy, industry, and settlements
8. Financial services
9. Human health
Part III. Regional Analyses: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: 10. Africa
11. Asia
12. Australasia
13. Europe
14. Latin America
15. North America
16. Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic)
17. Small island states
Part IV. Global Issues and Synthesis: 18. Adaptation to climate change in the context of sustainable development and equity
19. Synthesis and integration of impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability
Index.