qSensitivity is the degree to which a system is affected, either adversely or beneficially, by
climate-related stimuli.
qClimate-related stimuli
encompass all the elements of climate change, including mean climate characteristics, climate variability,
and the frequency and magnitude of extremes.
qThe effect may be direct (e.g.,
a change in crop yield in response to a change in the mean, range, or variability of temperature) or indirect (e.g.,
damages caused by an increase
in the frequency of coastal flooding due to sea-level rise).