The Climate Strategy Toolkit: Which One Do We Use?

Not all climate challenges can be solved the same way! Some need mitigation (stopping climate change), others need adaptation (adjusting to it), and some require resilience (bouncing back).

Mitigation (Stopping Climate Change at Its Source)

What it means: Reducing greenhouse gases to slow down climate change.

Examples:

Switching to solar and wind energy instead of fossil fuels.
Designing energy-efficient buildings.
Reducing car emissions by promoting cycling and public transport.

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Adaptation (Learning to Live with Climate Change)

What it means: Adjusting our way of life to survive new climate conditions.

Examples:

Building houses on stilts in flood-prone areas.
Growing crops on floating farms in flood-prone areas.
Creating green roofs and cooling centers in heatwave-prone cities.

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Resilience (Bouncing Back Stronger)

What it means: Preparing for and recovering from climate disasters.

Examples:

Strengthening buildings to withstand hurricanes.
Setting up emergency disaster response systems.
Training communities to prepare for extreme weather events.

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Why It Matters:
Understanding these three strategies helps us make smart choices. Whether you’re designing the cities of the future or just figuring out how to make your own community more climate-ready, knowing when to mitigate, adapt, or build resilience can make a huge difference!

Fun Fact:

Even if we cut emissions to zero today, the CO₂ already in the air will keep warming the planet for decades. That’s why adaptation and resilience are just as important as mitigation!