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Social protection (SP) and climate change adaptation (CCA) are two subjects highly debated when discussing social vulnerabilities and food insecurity in rural areas of developing countries. Both fields address matters related to socioeconomic vulnerabilities and thus present opportunities for integration. However, many studies have stated the lack of interaction within the study areas. When dealing with CCA and SP in Brazil, the two offer an opportunity for integration since some SP programmes (such as food-based safety nets) can both affect adaptation and be impacted by expected changes in climate. Impacts from CC are projected to be extreme in the Brazilian semi-arid Northeast, a region where social programmes of assistance and aid are historically crucial during periods of drought. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to address the interaction of CCA and SP in a conceptual level on policies and programmes in Brazil.

A desk review of government documents (policies, plans, decrees) related to food security, food-based programmes and CC.

Based on the results the authors highlight the limited integration between CC and SP in Brazil and the potential for interaction in many of the programmes already in place.

The authors attribute findings to the segmented governmental structure and the weak interaction between sectors, and the only recent discussion of linkages between CC and poverty, development and food insecurity. Discussion on the challenges and benefits of this interaction are provided in a context of CC in Brazil, still not very debated in the academic literature.

Guide to Efficient Maintenance Management, by H. V. M. Stewart, A.M.I.Mech.E. The general subject matter of this useful 157‐page book is well covered by the following remarks by Sir Miles Thomas in the foreword.

This paper seeks to examine the practical construction of a patented intelligent article of clothing with active thermal protection, outer shell with a variable thickness, system of thermoinsulating chambers, sensors and measuring systems, microcontroller and control system, actuator system and power supply system based on hardware aspect.

Based on practical construction and software aspect, a measuring and control program with algorithm of intelligent behavior is presented.

An intelligent article of clothing with thermal protection like a complex technical system consisting of a very complex architecture connected by different bus types to constitute a complex system acting synchronously and effectively controlled by the microcontroller containing the program which is based on the algorithm of the intelligent behavior.

The technical systems described represent a suitable basis for experiments and scientific research during the introduction of intelligent clothing with active thermal protection into human life.

Introduction of intelligent clothing into human life.

The prototype of an intelligent article of clothing with active thermal protection was designed and constructed. At the moment it is being subjected to the first experiments of functional investigations of intelligent clothing with active thermal protection.

According to the air temperature change and concerning some information from a region and a large city over the years, this paper delves into a dynamic method of air temperature forecast. A mathematical model and a set of recursive estimate formulas are used for the forecast of air temperature change. By these formulas, the recent information can be fully applied, a forecast with satisfactory accuracy is obtained. The calculation is simplified, and the forecast effect is better than that by ordinary least square estimate method.

A number of factors are now combining to make floods in the UK more frequent, more widespread and more costly. These include greater variations in weather patterns with more and heavier rain; changes in land use with increased development on the floodplain and the effectiveness and availability of flood defences and drainage systems. While the Government has a significant flood management programme in place to address the needs of the UK's at risk areas, individual property owners can, perhaps in partnership with their mortgage provider, insurer or local authority, do much to increase the resistance of their properties to flood damage. Further, these repairs could significantly reduce the cost of subsequent damage, should flooding occur again. The options considered in this paper include the use of flood protection products and the use of more flood‐resilient materials and repairs methods with a review of the cost‐ benefit of the latter depending on the type, severity and frequency of flooding.

Every plant that suffers from corrosion has to be checked regularly for thickness reduction, and the normal method of doing this has, until recently, been to shut down the plant, clean it out, and measure the areas of known or suspected weakness by mechanical means. By the use of the supersonic flaw detector, however, the time involved can be reduced to approximately 1½ days.

At the Central Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 15–16, the Corrosion Convention organised by CORROSION TECHNOLOGY will take place. Papers on a wide range of aspects of the corrosion problem will be delivered by authorities from industry and research. Delegates to the Convention will receive pre‐prints of all the papers, but for the benefit of readers who cannot attend we print below abstracts of a selection of the papers which are available as we go to press.

This paper aims to examine the issues of environment and climate change policy gaps and their impacts on the natural resources and ecosystems in southwest coastal Bangladesh. The effects of the increasing human activities as well as natural disasters due to the environment and climate change are analysed. The policy options as a response to mitigation, adaptation and possible human suffering as consequences are explored through discourse analysis.

This study applied focus group discussions, workshop and field visits to collect the data and information to explore environment and climate change policy-related problems.

It was found that there is a need for major policy reform to guide development interventions to reverse salinity, waterlogging, migration and groundwater recharging problems for sustainable environmental and ecosystem management in the region.

The paper then underscores the need for governments at all levels to adequately fund geo-information-based development interventions as adequate and proactive responses to environmental management and development to combat future environmental and climate change problems in the region.