The environmental and socio-economic impacts of climate change pose a serious threat to development and poverty reduction in developing countries. Tackling the causes of climate change (mitigation) and minimizing the consequences (adaptation) are inherently linked processes and are both essential. Building adaptive capacity to climate change may be achieved through the mainstreaming of climate risk into sustainable development strategies, however to do this successfully it is necessary to have awareness and understanding of climate change issues. Specific adaptation actions take place at community or individual level. These actions should build on existing coping methods. Communication between communities will allow coping strategies to be shared.

Reprinted with Permission from Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology