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An Anatomy of Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability

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Abstract

Adaptation to climate variability and change is important both for impact assessment (to estimate adaptations which are likely to occur) and for policy development (to advise on or prescribe adaptations). This paper proposes an "anatomy of adaptation" to systematically specify and differentiate adaptations, based upon three questions: (i) adapt to what? (ii) who or what adapts? and (iii) how does adaptation occur? Climatic stimuli include changes in long-term mean conditions and variability about means, both current and future, and including extremes. Adaptation depends fundamentally on the characteristics of the system of interest, including its sensitivities and vulnerabilities. The nature of adaptation processes and forms can be distinguished by numerous attributes including timing, purposefulness, and effect. The paper notes the contribution of conceptual and numerical models and empirical studies to the understanding of adaptation, and outlines approaches to the normative evaluation of adaptation measures and strategies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada

    Barry Smit

  2. Environmental Adaptation Research Group, Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 3E9, Canada

    Ian Burton

  3. Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam, 14412, Germany

    Richard J.T. Klein

  4. Department of Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada

    J. Wandel

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  1. Barry Smit
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  2. Ian Burton
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  3. Richard J.T. Klein
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  4. J. Wandel
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Smit, B., Burton, I., Klein, R.J. et al. An Anatomy of Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability. Climatic Change 45, 223–251 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005661622966

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