Adapting to Climate Change

We’re already experiencing changes in average temperature, shifts in the seasons and an increasing occurrence of extreme weather events. This trend is only set to continue with impacts felt across society, most often by those who are the most vulnerable. Adaptation refers to any adjustment in ecological, social, or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic change and its impacts. It means making changes in processes, practices, and structures to minimise potential damages and better cope with change. We need to reduce our vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change (like sea-level encroachment, more intense extreme weather events or food insecurity). This will be necessary, regardless of how much we manage to cut our emissions, as historic emissions have already changed our climate and will continue to do so in the years to come.

What are Adaptation Solutions?

Adaptation solutions take many forms, depending on the unique context of a community, business, organisation, country or area. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all-solution’. However, some adaptation solutions include;

• building flood defences,
• setting up early warning systems for flooding,
• switching to drought-resistant crops,
• redesigning communication systems, business operations and government policies,
• growing more local food to increase local food security,
• building community capacity by forming connections between people, households, groups, businesses and more.

Communities cannot adapt in isolation. We need to work with others agencies and organisations at a local and national level. Communities bring a wealth of local knowledge and experience in identifying and coping with adverse weather events. This is vital in planning and taking action in adapting to climate change.

How are we adapting in Kirriemuir?

Many individuals, organisations and communities are already considering and implementing adaptations, but it isn’t necessarily called adaptation. This could be flood risk management, biodiversity action planning or urban greening programmes. Find out more about some of the efforts underway in Kirriemuir by hovering over the flip boxes below.

Become Climate Literate

Do you want to increase your knowledge and understanding of the climate emergency and understand more about Scotland’s journey to net-zero?

Keep Scotland Beautiful runs online Climate Emergency Training, consisting of eight hours of learning over four weeks. Each week involves an hour-long online session led by one of their expert trainers, followed by some self-study tasks to be completed before the next session. You can book your space here.

The course covers:

• The basics of climate change science and how we know it’s a problem.
• How climate change is impacting us all now and how it will in the future.
• What’s being done to tackle climate change at a variety of levels; locally, nationally and internationally.
• Ways that you and your organisation can take action to reduce emissions.
• How having a Carbon Literate workforce could benefit your organisation.

The training costs £115 plus VAT (includes certification from The Carbon Literacy Project).

Together we can make good choices and live better, join Sustainable Kirriemuir!

If you would like to know more about what we are doing please get in touch. We are always looking for new members to join our organisation. If you have particular knowledge around climate change issues, or growing, making and mending skills you’d like to share, or just want to know more, we want to hear from you. Everyone is welcome, together we can make a difference.