What is climate adaptation?

Climate adaptation refers to the process of adjusting practices, systems, and structures to minimize or manage the risks and damages associated with the impacts of climate change. This involves recognizing the changing climate conditions and implementing strategies that allow individuals, communities, and organizations to cope with those changes effectively.

For instance, adapting to climate change might involve developing infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, modifying agricultural practices to suit changing climatic conditions, or enhancing water management systems to deal with increased variability in precipitation. These adjustments are essential for reducing vulnerability and improving resilience in the face of inevitable climate-related impacts.

Understanding climate adaptation is crucial because it complements efforts aimed at mitigation, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The importance of adaptation becomes especially clear in the context of ongoing climate changes that are already affecting ecosystems, economies, and human health around the world.