SEAD (Scottish Education and Action for Development)

How will we adapt to climate change which is already happening?

To some extent, people have always adapted to variations in their climate. However, the rate of change created by man-made impacts on climate patterns presents a unique challenge. The unpredictable effects of climate change on food security, disease and extreme weather events are already having dramatic impacts on the human population, to say nothing for their impacts on plants and animals. For example, what happens if the insects responsible for pollinating a food crop suffer a collapse in population?

Preventing climate change or adapting to it: getting the balance right

While the first priority should always be to minimise the human activities which negatively impact the climate, we now have to face up to the fact that some climate change is inevitable, and we need to be able to cushion ourselves and the natural world from its effects. This is particularly important for the most vulnerable communities in the world.

Where can I find information about climate change adaptation?

Here are some resources to help you go deeper into this topic:

An introduction to climate change adaptation, with a list of organisations working on adaptation issues around the world, and resources listed by region.
Information about community based climate change adaptation – using the knowledge held within communities to reduce the negative impacts. This site includes 36 case studies of community based climate adaptation, ranging from Africa to the Arctic.
On 31st October 2008, the Scottish Government completed a consultation on Scotland’s adaptation to climate change.
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has just launched a site about climate change adaptation in the UK.
The UK Climate Impacts Programme was set up to help organisations to adapt to inevitable climate change. On their site you can find UK climate change scenarios and a tools portfolio for business and public organisations. They also have an Adaptation Wizard – a tool to help you analyse and plan for your organisation or business needs for adaptation.

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How will we adapt to climate change which is already happening?

Preventing climate change or adapting to it: getting the balance right

Where can I find information about climate change adaptation?

Climate action hub