By Pooja Shrestha, Community Grant Implementor
What is climate change?
Climate change means big, long-term changes in the earth’s weather patterns and temperatures. While the climate has always changed naturally over time, today’s climate change is happening much faster because of human activities.
When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas for energy, or cut down trees, we release gases like carbon dioxide into the air. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, like a blanket around the earth, making the planet warmer.
Why It Matters
Climate change affects everyone—our food, water, health, and homes. But by working together, we can slow it down and adapt to the changes we can’t avoid.
What is Climate Mitigation?
Mitigation means taking actions to slow down or prevent climate change by cutting down on greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. This can include using cleaner energy (like wind or solar), planting more trees, using energy-efficient technology, and reducing waste. The goal is to slow down global warming and protect the planet for future generations. Everyone can do their part to “reduce your carbon footprint” with actions like, choosing biking over driving, buying local, unplugging unused appliances.
What is Climate Adaptation?
Climate adaptation is about changing our actions, tools or strategies to help us live with the negative affects of climate change that we cannot avoid.
We already practice climate adaptation. For example, when we put on our winter coats, we are adapting to colder outdoor temperatures. We cannot change that it is cold outside, but we can change the way that we dress to be more comfortable in these climate conditions. Because climate change is changing the climate conditions we experience, we need to find new ways to help us adapt.
Examples of Adaptations
Equity in Climate Action
Climate change affects everyone; however, some people are more affected by climate change. In the same community, some groups, families or individuals may experience more discomfort due to climate hazards. For example, a low-income family, who cannot afford air conditioning, will be more affected during a heatwave than a family, who has access to air conditioning or fans.
Therefore, it’s important for us to break barriers and consider equity when it come to climate action.
Interested in helping your community adapt to climate change?
Check out our newest grant opportunity ClimateReadyYYC.