Plugging the Hole
Dearest Allies,
I write on Paul’s behalf.
Think of a sinking ship caused by a hole in its hull. Wouldn’t it make more sense to plug the hole to prevent water from coming in rather than just bailing the water out to stay afloat? This is a clear illustration of climate mitigation and climate adaptation.
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It’s true that the damage done by climate change has to be managed, but we cannot forget the root cause. Back home, we are being displaced by rising sea levels, and we plead with the government to take action on adaptive measures. It’s key to note that the cost of adaptation is far higher than that of mitigation. Research also shows that developing countries need US$140 — 300 billion per year by 2050 to adapt, and these costs can double or triple if mitigation is stalled.
To visualize this, imagine a weighing balance with stones on the right pan and leaves on the left pan. The pan with leaves will rise while the pan with stones will dip down. Here, the stones represent adaptive measures, such as building flood defenses, while the leaves represent mitigation efforts like afforestation, renewable energy, and other proactive solutions. This clearly shows that mitigation reduces the need for adaptation.
While adaptive measures are necessary for my little village, preventive measures must also be taken to avoid the high cost of adaptation. The key elements to achieve this may include regulatory carbon pricing and direct climate finance. These sectors will fuel climate mitigation efforts, scaling more clean projects and ventures. If these measures are implemented, hopefully, my little village won’t suffer for acts or actions they are not responsible for.
Disclaimer: Paul is a fictional character, but his story is the reality of many people. I hope this story conveys a message.
Green Heart, Green Ink.
