Ask WDCD #2: I want to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, not adaptation

Q: I don’t think climate change adaptation is a big issue in my area. I think it’s more important to concentrate on reducing greenhouse gases (e.g. carbon emissions). Can my idea focus on this instead?

A: It’s very important to reduce carbon emissions, so it’s great if your idea provides a way to do that. But this challenge is focussing on adaptation because the consequences of climate change are already here, are already affecting us, and are likely to get much worse before we even see the benefits of cutting carbon. Your idea needs to address those consequences. Maybe there’s a way that your idea can tackle both the consequences and causes of climate change at the same time. We recommend you do some more research into the likely consequences in your region — even if those consequences are the result of something happening elsewhere, such as a poor harvest in a region that your country imports food from. Have another look at the background information packages and go hunting online for specific information on your region. Good luck!