Climate Change – Mitigation & Adaptation Quick Notes

Climate Change Overview

• Long-term shifts in temperature & weather patterns accelerated by human activity.

Causes

• Greenhouse gas rise: $\mathrm{CO<em>2}$, $\mathrm{CH</em>4}$.
• Key sources: burning fossil fuels, deforestation, intensive agriculture.

Impacts

• Rising global temps, melting ice, sea-level rise.
• More frequent/intense hurricanes, droughts, floods.
• Biodiversity & ecosystem threats.

Global Strategies

• Mitigation: energy efficiency, renewable energy, reforestation, sustainable consumption, personal footprint reduction.
• Adaptation: climate-resilient infrastructure, water management, climate-smart agriculture, public awareness.

Country Insights

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Challenges
• Extreme heat >$(50^\circ \text{C})$, water scarcity (highest per-capita use), sea-level rise, outdoor work losses.
Mitigation
• $\$50$ billion in clean energy.
• Al Dhafra Solar Park (largest single-site).
• Barakah Nuclear Plant supplies $25\%$ electricity.
• Green hydrogen expansion.
Adaptation
• AI-based urban cooling.
• Solar desalination.
• Vertical farming to cut water use.

Jamaica

Challenges
• Rising temps, coastal erosion.
• More severe hurricanes.
• Economy reliant on tourism/fishing.
Mitigation
• Carbon policy & biofuels.
• Energy-efficient hospitals & public buildings.
Adaptation
• Community programs.
• Ecosystem measures: mangrove restoration, vegetated ditches.
• Workshops & intl. collaboration.

Zambia

Challenges
• Temp rise $2.5!\text{–}!3^\circ \text{C}$ by 2050.
• Erratic rainfall, dry spells.
• Agriculture & water risks.
Mitigation
• Reforestation.
• Solar expansion.
• Climate-smart agriculture.
Adaptation
• Water harvesting.
• Drought-resistant crops.
• Community resilience projects.

Key Global Lessons

• Netherlands: leading urban flood control & sea walls.
• Bangladesh: low-cost community adaptations.
• Wealthier nations mitigate/adapt faster; climate justice—least responsible often most affected.

Conclusion

Collective action, sustainable investment, and international cooperation are essential to build climate resilience worldwide.