4.1. What can we do?

There is no single “silver bullet” for solving the problems posed by rapid climate change.  Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will require an integrative approach involving actions by individuals, businesses, and all levels of government.  The choices we make now will help to determine the magnitude of future climate changes.

We’ll begin this lesson with the “big picture” and the IPCC’s urgent call to action. Watch the second half of the video from and answer the questions below, recording your responses in the Lesson 4 Response Form. 

• Explain how mitigation and adaptation are complementary approaches to addressing the risks posed by climate change.

• How do adaptation and mitigation strategies differ in terms of their time scales?

 

• Give three examples of how people are adapting to climate change and briefly explain why adaptation is an equity issue.

“Climate Change Evidence, Impacts and Choices” is a booklet from the National Resource Council that can be downloaded from this web site,

http://nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices/files/2012/06/19014_cvtx_R1.pdf

.  This is a good resource for reinforcing your understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change and also supplies a concise summary of the choices we can make manage and mitigate the consequences of climate change.

Read p. 30-36 of the document, using the questions below to guide your reading.

1.  How does science inform emissions choices?

2.  What are our choices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?