SOLUTIONS Preparing for Unavoidable Change

Because global warming is happening today and some amount of additional warming is inevitable, adapting to higher temperatures is now a necessary complement to reducing emissions.

Adaptation requires careful integration of climate risks into both near- and long-term planning, so that vulnerable people, places, sectors, and ecosystems are better able to cope with unavoidable change. 

Adaptation strategies for any specific Northeast city or town, for instance, must be assessed on a case-by-case basis that addresses the many factors – technological, policy, financial, social, ecological, etc. – that can affect a community’s ability to adapt. For example, here in the Northeast:

• Cities across the region will need to prepare for increases in the number of extreme heat days by taking measures, such as installing better insulation, establishing heat earming systems and cooling centers, to protect the most vulnerable populations.
  
• Fishing communities can invest in equipment for the harvest of new fish stocks, just as farmers can turn to different crop varieties – e.g., berry and apple varieties that are better suited to warmer temperatures.
  
• Coastal communities will need to take into account projected sea-level rise and increases in storm surges to protect homes and businesses, as well as wetlands and other ecologically important areas.

Of course, the amount of adaptation the region will ultimately need to undertake depends substantially on our near-term success in reducing emissions. By cutting our emissions now, we can prevent the more severe consequences of climate change and ensure a promising future for our children and the generations to come.