RATIONALES FOR MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

Rationales for Mitigation and Adaptation in the Strategy Climatic Change Policies of London

Rationales for Mitigation and Adaptation in the Strategy Climatic Change Policies of London

Introduction

So during 20th century the average temperature of earth has increased about I degree Fahrenheit. This one degree may sound too small but its unusual event has been adversely impacting our planet. Research shows that further changes in temperature correspond to drastic changes and our environment. Thus we can say that climate change and its effects on our earth have already become visible and observable. Climate change is a lasting and important change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to million years. It may be changes in the distribution of weather around the average condition (i.e. fewer or more extreme weather events) or changes in the average weather conditions (Mendelsohn, 2006, 203)

. Climate change is caused by factors that include variations in solar radiations received by earth, oceanic processes (Ocean circulation), volcanic eruptions, and plate tectonics. Climate change is frequently used to describe human specific impacts. Scientists are very confident that in near future the increase in global temperature is to continue for decades because of production of huge number of green house gases by human beings.

According to IPCC, the effects of climate changes will be different on different individual regions and its will also vary over time and with the different environmental and societal system's ability to adapt or mitigate to change (IPCC, 2007). According to IPPC, there is increased risk of inland flash floods, increased erosion from storms, rise in sea level, and frequent coastal flooding, extensive species losses, reduced winter and cover tourism, glacial retreat in mountains area, and reduction of crop productivity in Europe. Therefore, it is very important to mitigate and adapt to these climate changes (IPCC, 2001). Today, there are two main policies that respond effectively to climate changes in various regions of the world: Adaptation and Mitigation. Adaption seeks tower risks raised or could be raised because of climate changes while root causes by reducing gas emissions are addressed by Mitigation.

Mitigation with regard to Climate Change Strategy

Mitigation of climate change refers to the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases of anthropogenic or increase carbon sinks (Nguyen, 1998, 49). This aims to reduce climate change in the future and therefore minimize potential damage. Approaches to mitigate the effects of climate changes play a crucial role in determining results. The longer we delay specific measures, the higher atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases and the more difficult it will be to ensure that the content CO2 in an atmosphere maintained at a stable level, below 450 ppm, and therefore the more likely it is that the 21st century will face with dangerous climate change. Actions include deployment of renewable energy and clean technology, reforestation, reduced use of private vehicles, methane capture at landfills and preventing soil erosion among others (USNAS, 1992, 944) .

Adaption with regard to Climate Change Strategy

Adaption with regard ...