Climate Change: Adaptation

Human society can undertake wide range of actions to adapt the impacts of climate change. In many cases, it will be necessary to incorporate adaptation into development programs.

Adaptation:

Adaptation is any adjustment in societies or ecosystems in response to actual or expected climate change. It is intended to either minimize risk or exploit beneficial opportunities from climate change.

(IPCC 2002, 2002, Noble and Watson 2007- “Confronting Climate Change”)

Adaptation can be viewed as climate risk management and aims to increase the resilience of countries to climate change. Strong parallels exist between effective development and adaptation. Thus, as an integral part of development, adaptation cannot be isolated when addressing other pressures, such as land degradation, water scarcity and urbanization.

Adaptation is a process, which considers where we are now! Where we want to be in 20-60-year time frame! How we can get there! What the risk are from climate change! And other pressures and barriers, and how these risks are managed in an ongoing way.

What we can do?

Change Lights: Replace most frequently used light bulbs with energy qualified products. ENERGY STAR lighting provides bright, warm light, generates 75% less heat, uses about 75% less energy than standard lights and lasts for 10-50 times stronger.

Reduce, reuse, recycle: Acquiring these techniques in home helps conserve energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from resources extraction, manufacturing and disposal. Start recycling newspapers, beverage containers, papers and other recyclable goods. Also, start doing composting food and waste which reduces the amount of garbage that sent to landfills and reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emission.

Use water efficiently: It takes lots of energy to pump, treat and heat water. So, saving water reduces greenhouse gas emission. Saving water in home is as simple as anything. 3% of India’s energy is used to pump and treat water so conserving it will conserve energy. Reduce the amount of waste generation and water consumption whenever possible. Pursue simple water saving actions such as not letting the water run while brushing teeth, shaving. Did you know leaky toilet can waste 100 liters of water per day?

Spread the word: Tell family and friends that energy efficiency is good for them and good for environment because it lowers greenhouse gas emission and air pollution. Take a task that, you will spread this among 5 five people and tell them spread this among another 5 people. Together we can help us save our mother nature.

Calculate carbon footprint: Use EPA’s ( http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/ind-calculator.html ) Household Greenhouse Gas Emission Calculator to estimate it and resulting from energy use, transportation and waste disposal.

Buy Smart: When shopping for a new or used vehicle or even renting a vehicle, choose the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle. With a wide range of clean, most fuel-efficient cars available today, it’s easier than ever to go green for the environment and for your pocket.

-Sarthak Niwate

info.sarthakfeeds@gmail.com