There are four ways to adapt to climate crisis.

Four months into 2022, Australia has already seen several climate disasters across the continent. Coral bleachingTo devastating floodsAnd Bushfires. These are stark reminders of how climate change can wreak havoc on communities – destroying homes, lives and ecosystems.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (IPCC), recently published its findings. It was clear we can expect both more disasters and long-term environmental changes, even if we restrict global warming to the internationally agreed limit of 1.5℃ this century.

In its February reportThe IPCC advised us to adapt to the challenges already set. This can be daunting, especially when there are many steps that must be taken to adapt, which are beyond our control, such as boosting the national economy or reducing industrial greenhouse gases emissions.

It’s often problematicComplex problems can be viewed narrowly as the responsibility for individuals to solve themselves. However, it’s becoming More clearMany of these changes can lead to big shifts. During the COVID pandemic for example, many individual choices made a significant difference in public health outcomes.

So how can we personally prepare for a future where there are more natural disasters and one that will profoundly affect the environment, communities, economy, and the environment? Let’s look at our options.

Adaptation in Australia

Although there have been a few peaks and valleys in attention to adaptation in Australia, recent positive developments are encouraging.

In late 2021, the federal government released an update to the National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy – a blueprintTo coordinate institutions, provide data on climate impacts, direct financing, and monitor adaptation efforts.

Similar to states and territories, they have also developed comprehensive Regional adaptation strategiesCross-institutional Action plans.

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Yet, there are adaptation practitioners and researchers around the globe. We agree there’s a gap between the scale of adaptation challenges and the action required to meet them. According to the IPCC, adaptation requires both. Both incremental and transformative change.

However, we are not – as individuals, communities, governments – You are well-equipped toIt is important to make proactive changes in response of seemingly distant and uncertain threats. This is exactly what climate adaptation requires.

But as we’ve seen in past disasters, including the COVID pandemic, we can also act in surprisingly generous, wise, future-orientated ways with the Right support.

Research shows that many people already do the following: Adaptive behavior. These can be Broadly grouped into four categories.

1. Collaboration is key to making things better

Demand is one way to create a healthy environment, economy, and community. More of governments and other powerful actors. This Could includeLobbying climate-exposed businesses or voting for effective climate adapt policies such as retrofitting low cost housing to better withstand heatwaves.

Making changes in your daily life with multiple benefits can help protect the environment and conserve natural resources such as Australia’s forests and wetlands, while reducing your own emissions.

You could, for example, reduce or eliminate. Purchase of productsLand clearing practices, such as beef, that favor food from farms that adopt sustainable land management practices that sequester CO2 are what drive land clearing.

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2. Enhancing and maintaining what we have

Preparing for a uncertain future due to climate change not only protects the things we value, but also reduces the risk of disaster.

You could even provide urban VergineeringYou can plant a street-side garden or rooftop garden or a water-sensitive, indigenous food garden that provides habitat and local cooling.

But it’s important to consider whether a personally beneficial action in the short term is Bad for the communityor ourselves in a long-term way by imposing unintended effects and shifting risk on others. A barrier may be enough to keep flood water from your property, but it might cause flooding to your neighbours.

Protect yourself by taking proactive stepsThis category includes your family, your home, and possessions in the event of climate-induced natural catastrophes. This includes creating emergency plans and plans, better insulation, storm shutters, and obtaining flood or cyclone coverage.

Reducing the chance of future harm Members of vulnerable communitiesIt is also important to support the elderly and homeless. Social connectionsIn your locality (work together on the verge side-garden).

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3. Avoid damage when there are adverse impacts

What can we do? During a climate disaster? The immediate concern is to Protect yourself and others It is possible to direct mitigate or avoid harm by taking planned or unplanned steps.

These include water, sheltering in place and volunteering to help people in your community. The latter was evident in the recent floods that swept New South Wales. Residents rescued their neighbors using their own boats and jet skis.

It could also be a temporary move (e.g., to evacuate in case of a flood or bushfire), or a complete relocation.

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4. Recovering with dignity and retreat

It’s not just physical impacts of climate change we need to be aware of. The IPCC released a February report. Mental health in the spotlightClimate change is a new topic.

As more people experience extreme weather, mental health issues such as anxiety, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder will increase. We must build CopingAnd mindfulnessStrategies to protect each other. Seek counselling. Find solace in community restorative practices.

We can adjust by working together to make long-term lifestyle changes in anticipation for the future. This could also mean changing. When school holidays take placeTo prevent bushfires from getting worse, or to pursue Lifestyles of sufficiency.

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Limiting global warming to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels will see increasing disasters and longer term stresses on what we value. However, taking immediate action can reduce the risk and minimize the damage that occurs. Join the many others taking action now.