A Conversation on Climate with Moushumi Chaudhury [Video]

“Climate speak” can be confusing. What key terms should people know?

Mitigation means reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which cause global warming. We can do this by using less fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and crude oil, and switching to renewable energy sourced from the sun, wind, and waves. If we don’t, use of fossil fuels will continue to release GHG into the atmosphere, causing rising temperatures and inconsistent rainfall patterns, which will lead to more floods, droughts, storms, and a higher sea level.

Adaptation means changing human (i.e., socioeconomic systems) and natural systems (i.e., ecosystems such as mangroves and reefs) so climate impacts aren’t felt as deeply. For example, restoring coral reefs can lessen the damage from storms by reducing the force waves can have on a coastal community.

Resilienceis a tricky term since its meaning changes depending on who you ask. For some, it’s a combination of mitigation and …