Back to Topic 6.3 — Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

6.3.2ESS SL15 flashcards

Adaptation strategies

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Card 1 of 156.3.2

Question

Define adaptation (climate change).

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All 15 Flashcards — Adaptation strategies

Card 1definition

Question

Define adaptation (climate change).

Answer

Adaptation is action that reduces vulnerability to the actual or expected impacts of climate change.

💡 Hint

Adjust to effects.

Card 2example

Question

State the key idea of adaptation in one line.

Answer

Adaptation reduces vulnerability to climate impacts that are happening now or expected in the future.

💡 Hint

Cope with impacts.

Card 3example

Question

Give two coastal adaptation strategies.

Answer

Examples include sea walls/flood barriers, managed retreat, and wetland restoration as natural buffers.

💡 Hint

Hard vs soft engineering.

Card 4example

Question

Give two agriculture adaptation strategies.

Answer

Examples include drought-resistant crops, changing planting dates, efficient irrigation (drip), crop diversification, and agroforestry.

💡 Hint

Any two farm adjustments.

Card 5example

Question

Give one reason adaptation is necessary even if emissions stopped today.

Answer

Past emissions have locked in some warming because CO2 persists for a long time and oceans store heat, so impacts will continue.

💡 Hint

Committed warming.

Card 6example

Question

Name two evaluation criteria for adaptation strategies.

Answer

Common criteria include effectiveness, cost, equity, sustainability, feasibility, and maladaptation risk.

💡 Hint

Pick any two.

Card 7definition

Question

What is an early warning system as an adaptation strategy?

Answer

A monitoring and alert system that warns people about hazards (e.g., heatwaves, floods, storms, disease outbreaks) to reduce harm through preparedness.

💡 Hint

Warn early, reduce harm.

Card 8example

Question

Distinguish between reactive and anticipatory adaptation.

Answer

Reactive adaptation responds after impacts occur; anticipatory adaptation prepares in advance for expected future impacts.

💡 Hint

After vs before.

Card 9definition

Question

Define maladaptation.

Answer

Maladaptation is when an adaptation strategy creates new problems or increases vulnerability elsewhere or in the long term.

💡 Hint

Adaptation that backfires.

Card 10definition

Question

What is meant by planned vs autonomous adaptation?

Answer

Planned adaptation is deliberate policy action by governments/organisations; autonomous adaptation is spontaneous adjustment by individuals or systems without coordinated policy.

💡 Hint

Policy-led vs spontaneous.

Card 11example

Question

Give one example of maladaptation linked to coastal protection.

Answer

Sea walls can protect one area but increase erosion and flooding risk down-coast, damaging habitats and shifting risk to other communities.

💡 Hint

Protect here, worsen there.

Card 12example

Question

Give one urban adaptation strategy to reduce heat stress.

Answer

Urban trees/green infrastructure, green roofs, reflective surfaces, and building design for passive cooling can reduce the urban heat island effect.

💡 Hint

Cool cities.

Card 13example

Question

Why can desalination be considered adaptation, and what is one limitation?

Answer

It increases freshwater supply in drought-prone areas (adaptation), but it is energy-intensive/expensive and produces salty brine waste.

💡 Hint

Supply boost, but costly.

Card 14example

Question

Give one simple analogy that helps remember mitigation vs adaptation.

Answer

Mitigation is preventing the fire (reducing emissions). Adaptation is installing smoke detectors/sprinklers (coping with impacts).

💡 Hint

Fire analogy.

Card 15example

Question

Why does equity matter when evaluating adaptation?

Answer

Adaptation benefits and costs are often uneven. Strategies should protect the most vulnerable groups, not only those with money and political power.

💡 Hint

Who is protected?

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Topic 6.3 hub

Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

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