Speaking of climate change, it is not just identifying the reasons for its occurrence. It’s also, and above all, finding ways and means to deal with it, or at least to develop strategies to reduce its harmful impact on human and natural systems.
What Are Climate Change Adaptation Strategies?
The term “adaptation to climate change” refers to all initiatives, policies, actions and strategies put in place to combat the harmful effects of climate change in our daily lives. The term ‘adaptation’ wasn’t chosen at random. It’s about implementing sufficiently flexible solutions that can be adjusted according to the circumstances. These solutions are dynamic and, therefore, more effective. Currently, these strategies concern ecosystems, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
There are two types of coping strategies:
- anticipatory coping strategies
- reactive coping strategies
Anticipatory coping strategies refer to planned actions implemented to minimize negative impacts in the medium to long term. These actions are generally reversible.
Reactive coping strategies are spontaneous. They follow a concrete event. These actions can be described as palliative but necessary to curb a negative trend.
Climate Change: How to Reverse the Trend?
The systematic control of the climate and consequently of its change is a utopia. This statement raises an obvious question; can the measures taken really have a real influence? Undoubtedly, but the effects aren’t instantaneous. As an example, one could mention the actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, a considerable reduction in these gases will help to avoid global warming. However, to achieve this, it will be necessary to convince all countries, or at least most of them, to take part in this reduction, which is impossible. This doesn’t mean that the efforts made are useless. They just need to be better coordinated.
The struggle to minimize the negative impacts of climate change is a long-term task. Still, it deserves to be undertaken not only for the sake of the planet but also for the well-being of future generations.