Chapter 13 - Adaptation of society to climate change

Abstract

Climate change is unequivocal and mainly human induced, resulting in increased economic, social, and environmental losses and damages. The climate crisis is existential, paramount, and pervasive, and the negative climate impacts are increasing in frequency and intensity. It is therefore of central importance that all countries now join forces to mitigate climate change and to accelerate action for a comprehensive societal transformation toward a climate-neutral and fair world, globally and locally. This must be done on the basis of the best available science and information. Here, climate services on local levels play a tremendous role in bringing together climate change mitigation and adaptation. Especially at the local level, the involvement of people; local know-how; and the knowledge of respective preconditions, concerns, and needs in the development and implementation of climate adaptation concepts (codesign) are indispensable. Our aim must be a climate-resilient development and holistic transformation of the society as postulated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).