Climate Change Adaptation

 

Adaptation is a term used to describe the idea of learning to live with something, or to change one’s way of doing things in order to better cope or deal with a new change. It means tweaking, overhauling or making modifications to how things were before in order to make the best of a situation that is, to get the same results as before or to get even better results.

In terms of climate change, adaptation refers to learning how to cope with the impacts of a changing climate. Climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions, of chief consequence being carbon dioxide and methane. Greenhouse gases trap heat and raise global temperatures wreaking havoc in the global climate system and having a host of socioeconomic impacts.

Because there are already emissions in the atmosphere and these have not peaked so as to start falling, climate is going to continue changing presently and for the foreseeable future. Climate change impacts are dangerous, irreversible and unpredictable. They include floods, droughts, cyclones, wildfires, heat waves, sea level rise and extreme weather conditions.

Because the planet as a whole shares one atmosphere, the entire global climate system is affected, although the impacts manifest differently. That is every country in the globe is affected in one way or another though the type, magnitude and severity of the impacts differs. Emissions anywhere affect the planet everywhere.

Adaptation is therefore a major part of the fight against climate change. That is, we try to adapt to the current impacts while using mitigation (reduction of emissions) to dampen or prevent these impacts from worsening in the future. Adaptation is one of the objectives of the Paris Agreement of 2015 and is geared towards creating resilience. Resilience is the ability to withstand and even bounce back after harsh climatic consequences affect an area.

Adaptation is important in climate action - image (pinterest)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Under the UNFCCC, countries have adopted various measures dealing with adaptation. These include national adaptation plans (NAPS). There are also national adaptation programs of action (NAPAS) particularly suited to least developed countries and also the adaptation committee which works to aid countries by providing support, knowledge and information as well as promoting consistency.

Of note is that developing countries, most of which are in Africa, need to rapidly adapt to climate change in order to both safeguard their peoples, livelihoods and natural systems as well as take advantage of the opportunities presented.

Adaptation is not only the responsibility of governments but is to be undertaken by all actors, including the private sector, local communities, civil society as well as community and faith based organizations. It is also based on a sectoral approach.

 To look at a few: In the health sector, heat waves worsen respiratory conditions. Vector borne diseases such as Malaria would become widespread. A negative health consequence of sudden floods covering toilets and waste water facilities is waterborne diseases such as cholera. Investments need to be made in the health sector so as to equip hospitals better and employ more health personnel. Public education and health campaigns, promotion of better diets and early immunization campaigns are ways to aid the population in fighting off diseases which have extended their endemic zones as a result of changing climatic conditions.

Agriculture, the economic mainstay of many African countries is also affected by climate influenced precipitation patterns. As a way of ensuring food security, planting of drought tolerant crops, fast maturing high yield crops and indigenous crop varieties is one way to adapt to drought conditions. Another way is to encourage the consumption a widely varied diet so as to avoid over reliance on one type of staple food crop.

Yet another way is to bring in more arid and semi-arid land under irrigation so as to ensure a food source for when harvests fail or rot in the fields due to floods. Working hand in hand with this is the promotion and innovation of better ways of food storage so that food is not wasted in times of plenty but is kept in reserve for difficult times. Small scale farmers should be encouraged to plant unique and high value crop varieties so as to diversify their offering and stop overreliance on one type of crop for economic sustenance. That is, mixed farming ensures different crops mature at different times and so guarantees a steady supply of both food and income. One could also mix dairy and crop farming.

Early warning systems in terms of weather forecasts help in avoiding loss and damage as people evacuate in good time or protect their property before a cyclone or wildfire hits.

In the energy sector, use of renewable energy serves both as adaptation and mitigation to climate change. Kenya for example relies on renewable sources of energy, majorly hydropower. Hydropower is however affected by rainfall patterns which are impacted by climate change. But like most African countries, the country has ample supply of solar energy, due to the vast amounts of sunshine all year round that light up the country’s lands. There is much impetus to take advantage of this and build both solar and wind farms to capture all this energy and use it to power the national grid.

Household solar especially is cheaper and removes reliance on the national grid. Energy powers economic development and so such initiatives would open up rural areas and spur development on a rapid scale. Solar could be used to power irrigation, light up households and encourage industrialization. The possibilities for solar and wind energy in the continent are enormous, and could be used to power growth at a much faster pace than the West. This kind of development is sustainable and ‘green’ rather than ‘brown.’

It is also necessary to adapt infrastructure to the effects of climate change. The first thing is to climate proof infrastructure. This is done by use of construction materials that are durable and can withstand the ravages of a rapidly changing climate. Such materials should be breathable having the ability to contract and expand without compromising integrity. Buildings should be well aerated so as to counteract the effect of extremely hot days and the building alignment be in such a way as to take advantage of natural lighting as much as possible. Another example is building bridges higher in anticipation of floods. Development can also be relocated to less risky areas.

Rooftop solar can supplement mains energy and aid in cooling buildings.

Businesses are also encouraged to adapt to climate change, and this by diversifying their investment portfolios. Cutting reliance on areas whose value is affected by a changing climate and contributes to the same as well as encouraging investment in environmentally friendly areas such as renewable energy goes a long way.

Business owners should be innovative as to create products with both a low carbon footprint and utilize locally available materials. Recycling of paper and plastic would aid in reducing deforestation, reduce waste and promote the economy.

It is however not always easy to adapt, as it sometimes requires a complete about turn from business as usual. Some of these changes go deep and require financial investment so as to effectuate. Therefore adaptation is propelled by financing. This is facilitated by the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund. The Global Environment Facility channels finance through two major funds, the Special Climate Change Fund and the Least Developed Countries Fund. These monies are meant to aid in carrying out climate change adaptation initiatives especially in developing countries.

The two climate funds work together under the Paris Agreement to carry out the aforementioned goal of the pact in view of creating resilience. Speaking at a climate meet recently, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres asked that half of all climate finance be channeled towards adaptation.

Climate finance is primarily derived from developed countries because they bear historical responsibility for climate change. It can also be from market trading of certified emission reductions.

Parties to the UNFCCC have national adaptation plans which are documents by each national participant showing how each intend to carry out programs, initiatives and processes in order to adapt to climate change. These are then submitted to the GCF and GEF for approval for financing.

Adaptation also requires technical support, expert advice and technology in order to succeed.

Another important aspect of climate change adaptation is that it should be gender sensitive. Adaptation projects should seek to involve all participants and recognize that women and men are affected differently because of their gender. Therefore gender mainstreaming should be a part of the process, from inception to implementation.

What can you and I do to adapt to a changing climate?

Well for one, vote in leaders who are cognizant of climate change and who will help, educate others on the same and patronize companies that are ecofriendly.