Adaptation 101 — a primer on our changing climate and how we must adapt
Adaptation 101 — a primer on our changing climate and how we must adapt
We live in a new climate age. The impacts of climate change are visible across the globe from rising temperatures to droughts, floods, wildfires and storms. The way climate change affects our lives is, unfortunately, becoming more tangible year on year.
Despite such visible trends and events, it can often be hard to grasp the scale of climate change, where Earth’s systems are heading, and what this means for our everyday life. We’ve put together our “Adaptation 101” briefing — a primer that contextualises the latest research on climate change and how we might adapt to it impacts, with the aim to provide essential knowledge for informed discussion and meaningful action.
Climate adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects. It refers to changes in processes, practices and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change.
Adaptation 101 summarises our best analysis on climate change and its impacts on the planet and our economic systems. The report shows that:
Adaptation to climate change is a necessity
We are locked into certain levels of additional warming and associated impacts even under best case scenarios of emissions reductions to net zero by mid-century. We are shifting to new climate normals, meaning our historic ways of doing things need to shift as well.
Climate change alters how we can work outdoors
Increased temperatures will negatively affect industries with high levels of outdoor labour. Certain sectors will need to adapt to extreme temperatures by changing working practices, or risk losing productive capacity.
Action now costs much less than future reactions
There is a significant gap in funding needed to adapt to climate change. Investing in adaptation solutions can reduce escalating climate related losses, where $1 today produces $4 in net benefits.
To adapt to climate change we need an all of the above approach, with investments in: cities and infrastructure; agriculture and food security; water management; forestry and land use; marine and coastal zones; public health; and forecasting and monitoring.
We can’t solve a problem without understanding its extent and how it may evolve. In the tradition of our previous 101 reports (Climate 101, Biodiversity 101), we hope Adaptation 101 helps you understand the critical need for rapid adaptation efforts worldwide, and inspires action toward building a more resilient future for all.
Download and read the full report on here.
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2150 is a venture capital firm investing in technology companies that seek to sustainably reimagine and reshape the urban environment. 2150’s investment thesis focuses on major unsolved problems across what it calls the ‘Urban Stack’, which comprises every element of the built environment, from the way our cities are designed, constructed and powered, to the way people live, work and are cared for. Find out more at www.2150.vc
