Climate Change Adaptation

Climate Change seems Inevitable: Focus shifts from mitigating to adapting to the consequences

Global temperatures are continuing to rise. After 2014 and 2015, also 2016 is set to be hottest year on record globally. Measures to mitigate climate change, such as the reduction of CO2 emissions, might no longer be sufficient. In addition, they are implemented too tentatively to prevent expected consequences in time.

It appears more and more unlikely that warming can be held below 2° C by the end of the century generally regarded as the safe level of climate change. And even if it were possible, evermore climatologist think this would still lead to severe impacts: more extreme weather systems, ice cap melting and other environmental degradation.

Climate change already induces huge economic costs. An estimated 1-2 % of global GDP is lost each year. Large numbers of environmental refugees could destabilize whole regions.

In light of these predictions, it becomes more and more a necessity that mankind will have to develop effective adaptation strategies, i.e. the stabilization of glaciers, flood and erosion protection and potentially also geo-engineering.

FUTURE FACT

The cost of adapting to climate change in developing countries could range between USD 140 and USD 300 bn per year in 2030, and between USD 280 and USD 500 bn per year in 2050.