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Document begins: Progress in Development Studies 3,3 (2003) pp. 179­195 Adaptation to climate change in the developing world W. Neil Adger,a,b,* Saleemul Huq,c Katrina Brown,a,d Declan Conwaya,d and Mike Hulmea aTyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia, UK bCSERGE, University of East Anglia, UK cInternational Institute for Environment and Development, London, UK dSchool of Development Studies, University of East Anglia, UK Abstract: The world's climate is changing and will continue to change into the coming century at rates projected to be unprecedented in recent human history. The risks associated with these changes are real but highly uncertain. Societal vulnerability to the risks associated with climate change may exacerbate ongoing social and economic challenges, particularly for those parts of societies dependent on resources that are sensitive to changes in climate. Risks are apparent in agriculture and many other components that constitute the livelihood of rural populations in developing countries. In this paper we explore the nature of risk and vulnerabil- ity in the context of climate change and review the evidence on present-day adaptation in developing countries and on coordinated international action on future adaptation. We argue that all societies are fundamentally adaptive and there are many situations ...