How can we…
Adapt to Climate Change
Find out more on how we can build resilience and adapt to an inevitably changing climate.
Adapting to Climate Change
We are already experiencing changes in average temperature, shifts in the seasons and an increasing occurence of extreme weather events and other climate change impacts. 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 effects or impacts. It means making changes in processes, practices, and structures to minimise potential damages and better cope with change. The goal is to reduce our vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change (like sea-level encroachment, more intense extreme weather events or food insecurity).
Adapting to climate change 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 decades to come.
What are Adaptation Solutions?
Adaptation solutions take many shapes and forms, depending on the unique context of a community, business, organisation, country or area. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all-solution’. 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 to prepare for future climate change.
“Many nations and communities are already taking steps to build resilient societies and economies, but considerably greater action and ambition will be needed to effectively manage the risks, both now and in the future.”
– United Nations Climate Change, 2021
Future Kirrie: How are we adapting in Kirrie?
In many cases, adaptation is already being considered or implemented within organisations or communities, 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 here in Kirriemuir by hovering over the flip boxes below.
Active & Sustainable Travel
The active and sustainable travel group are working hard to improve provision of, access to and confidence in low carbon or active modes of transport such as cycling and walking. As new policy changes are brought into play, this means we will be prepared for a new, more sustainable way of life as combustion vehicles are phased out. Check out their action plan by clicking here and find out when the group will next meet here.
Reducing Waste
The reducing waste group is working hard to mitigate climate change by reducing the emissions associated with consumption and waste. Alongside this, they are building resilience by educating people on reuse and repurposing, building community capacity to live in a sustainable manner. You can check out their action plan by clicking here and find out when the group will next meet here.
Energy
The energy group is in the early stages of being established. Find out when the group will next meet here.
Further Reading
Want to learn some more? Check out these useful links for more information on what climate change adaptation is, and how you can get involved.
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).
Get in Touch
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.