Facing the New Inconvenient Truth: Climate Change Adaptation

Climate adaptation and mitigation: What's the difference?

Climate change mitigation and adaptation are two crucial approaches to addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the root causes of climate change. Adaptation, on the other hand, aims to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change that are already occurring or are expected to occur in the future.

Climate adaptation is grossly underfunded

Despite the urgent need for climate adaptation, it is currently underfunded and overlooked. Approximately 90% of current climate funding goes to mitigation measures, leaving only 10% or less for adaptation. Within this 10%, less than 5% comes from the private sector. This imbalance needs to be addressed to ensure that both mitigation and adaptation receive the necessary attention and funding.

We are living in a new climate regime

The planet has already warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius since the start of the Industrial Revolution, and even if we are able to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the heat that is already in the atmosphere and oceans will cause the planet's temperature to continue rising for the rest of this century. This means that we are living in a new climate regime that has never been experienced in human history.

Four types of actions to address the new inconvenient truth

To address the new inconvenient truth of climate change, we need to take action on multiple fronts. 1. ### Educate decision-makers and the public about the need for adaptation: We need to raise awareness about the importance of climate adaptation and its benefits. This includes educating decision-makers at all levels of government, as well as the general public. 2. ### Prepare economies for rising costs and income inequality: Climate change will have significant economic impacts, including rising costs of climate-related disasters and disruptions to supply chains. We need to prepare our economies for these challenges and develop strategies to address income inequality, which is likely to be exacerbated by climate change. 3. ### Prepare for climate-induced migration: Climate change is expected to displace millions of people around the world, creating climate migrants and refugees. We need to anticipate these displacements and develop policies to address the needs of these populations. 4. ### Focus on local-level understanding and response to risks: Adaptation needs to be tailored to the specific risks that each community faces. Local governments, businesses, and individuals need to assess their risks and develop appropriate adaptation strategies.

Advocate for supportive government policies

Governments have a critical role to play in supporting climate adaptation. This includes developing policies that encourage climate-resilient development, investing in infrastructure and services that can withstand climate impacts, and providing incentives for businesses and individuals to adopt adaptation measures.

Recalibrate building codes, land use plans, and hazard maps

As climate change alters weather patterns and increases the frequency and intensity of extreme events, we need to recalibrate our building codes, land use plans, and hazard maps. These tools need to be based on scientific evidence and updated regularly to ensure that they reflect the changing risks of climate change.

Increase climate adaptation funding through public-private partnerships

To scale up climate adaptation efforts, we need to increase funding from both public and private sources. Public-private partnerships can be an effective way to attract private sector investment and innovation in climate adaptation.

Explore innovative financing models and encourage private sector investment

Traditional financing models may not be sufficient to meet the growing need for climate adaptation funding. We need to explore innovative financing models and develop incentives for the private sector to invest in climate adaptation projects.

Establish global goals for climate adaptation

Just as we have established global goals for climate mitigation, we need to establish similar goals for climate adaptation. This will help to raise the profile of adaptation and ensure that it receives the attention and resources it deserves.

Address the legal and political implications of climate migration

Climate migration is a complex issue with legal and political implications. We need to develop international agreements and policies to address the needs of climate migrants and refugees, and to mitigate the associated political tensions.

Mobilize a global response to the existential threat of climate change

Climate change is an existential threat that requires a global response. The international community needs to mobilize resources and expertise to support climate adaptation efforts around the world.