Climate Change Adaptation 

Methods

 

Two methods have been used to address the issues of Climate Change (CC), and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) :

 

One can be likened to a science based executive summary and is the foundation and content of this site.

 

The second is described below in simple non scientific terms, yet still based on the science.   Myth versus Reality attempts to do away with misconceptions and offer hope for a path forward.

 

 

 

Myth Versus Reality

 

 

Myth 1:

The earth puts out way more CO2 than all the man made sources combined.  Our piddly amount can’t make any difference.

 

The Reality:  Think of the earth like your garage, or your storage room for your stuff.  If it’s not full yet, no problem.  When it starts to overflow, all sorts of problems.  However, there are no mini storage solutions for the excess CO2 that’s being pumped into the atmosphere.    

 

 

Myth 2:

Global Warming:  How can this be global warming when it’s been cold and raining for the last 3 weeks?

 

The Reality:  

Global Warming:  Refers to warming of the land surface temperature, on average.  This is caused by increases in “greenhouse gases” (like Carbon Dioxide (CO2); and methane (CH4)).  The term “global warming” has been falsely used to describe all of what’s happening on the bigger picture.  Land surface temperature increases (global warming) is like the first domino in a chain affecting many other weather related issues, all leading to a change in climate (including extreme weather events) never before realized.

 

 

Myth 3:

Climate Change:  The Climate has always been changing. What’s the big deal.  Its natural.  Volcanos make it colder; El Ninos make it hotter.

 

The Reality:

Climate Change, the myth, is what really amounts to a change in the weather.  Short term weather (1day to 10 years) is affected by events like certain Volcanos, and phenomenas like El Nino and La Nina which are roughly on 7 year cycles and are fueled by Pacific Ocean currents.

Climate Change the reality, deals with the long term.

Climate Change the reality,  is a rate of change issue identified by scientists looking at the composition of the earths atmosphere over hundreds of thousands of years.

Climate Change the reality shows a Carbon Dioxide concentration  increase (in a “clean atmosphere”), of 30% in the last 50 years.  These CO2 concentrations, this rate of increase; this rapid rate of change, has never occured in the last few hundred thousand years.

 

 

Myth 4:

Hundreds of thousands of years of data on the atmosphere’s composition and temperature - that’s impossible!

 

The Reality:  The study of cores of ice from polar areas, hundreds of thousands of years old, yields this information.

 

 

Myth 5:

If this is such a big deal, my government would be doing something about it.

Myth 6:

What am I supposed to do about it?  I still need a car; I still need electricity; I still need to get food on the table and warm shelter over my head!  I’m just one little person.

 

The Reality:  The solutions will not come from governments.  Governments can, however enact enabling legislation that make it easier to make changes.  Some countries like Denmark and Germany have been doing that for decades, and showing leadership in many areas, some more successful than others.  They have demonstrated changes in alternate sources of electric power; home design and neighbourhood design that help their economies, and when it comes to energy consumption;  are sustainable with much less to no ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions.  

 

The Reality:  Solutions will come from groups of individuals; in communities; in cities in new business developments; in provinces and states; in providing smooth and easy ways to make transitions to affordable alternate methods than fossil fuel combustion.  It exists now; in pockets of Denmark, and is considerably advanced in Germany.  And in many other areas of the world (Chris Turner, 2007)

What can you do?  Be open to seeking those opportunities, helping to advance them and implementing them when they are available.  It will be like the computer / digital age all over again; but with way more benefits!

 

The Reality:  In the mean time; prepare for climate change and extreme weather events; know what your risks are; learn how to reduce the risk; learn how to adapt to it.

 

 

Reference:

Chris Turner (2007),  "The Geography of Hope, A Tour of the World we Need" ,  Random House of Canada Ltd. 469 pgs.