Assessing the Role of Adaptation in Evaluating Vulnerability to Climate Change

摘要: Three types of adaptation can influence significantly a system's prospective longevity in the face climate change. The ability to cope with variation its current environment help system adapt changes over longer term. take advantage beneficial that might coincide potentially harmful ones play an even larger role; and focusing attention on maximizing sustainable lifetime highlight potential for extending time horizon increasing likelihood alternative structure be created. A specific economic approach demonstrates research serve two functions this regard. Research important role diminishing future harm suggested by standard impact analyses systems where buy most time. It societies learn how become more robust under conditions; it lead them explore mechanisms which they exploit also critical assessing need mitigating long-term change both short long runs is so limited almost impossible any at all. In these areas, switching or investing protection existing are last lines defense. Real "windows" tolerable defined only working areas sorts adaptive alternatives cannot uncovered.