What is adaptation?

Climate change is affecting all nations across the globe. It might be a little late to avoid some irreversible changes in the climate, but we cannot ignore adaptation strategies. We all must learn to manage the risks that have arisen as a result of shifts in climate. But what does adaption really mean? Adaptation generally means investing in basic infrastructure and programs to protect us against the effects of climate change, but why, then, is adaptation different in different economies around the world?

While rich countries adapt by providing their nations with early warning and defense systems, poor countries are left to face much more challenging problems as they lack the resources and finances to cope. When faced with a drought the poor may suffer hunger from crop losses, but rich places, such as the state of California in the United States, develop extensive systems of reservoirs and water transfer channels to maintain flows to dry areas. When floods hit, floodwaters and communities in Vietnam's Mekong Delta have to depend on swimming lessons and life jackets for survival, while the UK is able to fund flood management and coastal erosion projects annually. Why should swimming be a sport in one country and a means of survival in another?

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In Kenya, farmers till their land to plant drought resistant crops. Photo credit: Elijah Mumo (Voices4Climate Competition)

UNICEF and the Ministry of Education in Mongu, Western Zambia are advocating for projects to construct floating schools that cannot be destroyed by floods to help children who are forced to drop-out of school until the waters subside because their families cannot afford to relocate to dry areas. However, such projects are still far from implementation due to lack of funds.

La situation du Conseil National Climat avec son Président du Comité de Gestion, également Président du Comité de Gestion de l'ANPN, Président de la commission d'attribution des bourses, Directeur général de l'Agence gabonaise d'études et d'observation spatiale, Conseiller spécial du Chef de l'Etat, Etienne MASSARD KABINDA MAKAGA interpelle le responsable de Brainforest que je suis du fait de notre engagement dans le processus FLEGT en tant que point focal société civile au Gabon et partie prenante du débat sur les changements climatiques en qualité de membre de ACCRA CAUCUS. 


Le Conseiller du Ministre de l'Economie, Jean Philippe NDONG BIYOGHO vient de remplacer le Conseiller économique du Premier Ministre, Nicolas ZEKPA au poste de Secrétaire permanant du Conseil National Climat. Considérant que ce sont des questions d'environnement, pourquoi le Ministère de l'Environnement ne joue pas ce rôle de Secrétaire permanent ? Où est passé la logique fermement défendu par Massard MAKAGA selon laquelle le Secrétariat permanent doit être assuré par un Représentant du Premier Ministre ? Alors que le Conseil est présidé par le Chef de l'Etat, pourquoi un Représentant du Premier Ministre n'assure pas la présidence du Comité de gestion pour autant que ça représente un cadre interministériel, et que le secrétariat permanant soit assuré par le Ministère en charge de l'Environnement ? 


S’il nous était demandé de revenir sur les conditions de création du Conseil Climat, nous dirions que l'idée part d'un comité interministériel changement climatique sous l'autorité du Premier Ministre présenté en son temps par le Ministre MABALA. Alors que le texte est en cours d'examen au Secrétariat Général du Gouvernement, le Conseiller du Président de la République nouvellement nommé fait irruption dans la salle et intimide les commissaires. Résultat, le Secrétariat Général du Gouvernement va surseoir à l'examen du texte. A la surprise générale, quelques mois plus tard, vers le mois d’avril 2010, le Ministre Mabala se verra présenter un décret à signer soumis par le Ministre Ministre Emile DOUMBA en charges des relations avec les Institutions Constitutionnelles. 


La question qui me brule les lèvres et celles des des observateurs de la question du climat au Gabon est la suivante : A-t-il fallu qu'un ancien Directeur général de l'environnement soit nommé à la Présidence de la République pour que cette Institution assume les questions de climat ? D'où sort soudainement l'expertise de Monsieur Massard en matière de climat alors qu'il n'est en contact de ces questions que lorsque l’ancien Vice Premier
Ministre, chargé de l’Environnement Madame Georgette KOKO le nomme Point Focal Climat ? Où en est-il avec sa spécialité de chercheur en biochimie? 


BOULDER, CO – The Climate Reality Project’s fourth annual 24 Hours of Reality broadcast, 24 Hours of Reality: 24 Reasons for Hope, will be presented live from Brooklyn, New York, on September 16-17 at 12 PM EDT.

This year’s broadcast marks a turning point in the global movement for climate solutions, celebrating innovation and progress in fighting climate change around the world and kick starting a year of concerted action. Each hour, former U.S. Vice President and Climate Reality Chairman and Founder Al Gore will introduce a new reason to be hopeful about solving climate change and invite viewers worldwide to dedicate a day in the coming year to helping end the climate crisis.

Airing one week prior to the U.N. Climate Summit, this year’s 24 Hours of Reality program focuses on specific milestones in efforts to address the climate crisis – from the plummeting cost of solar panels to the rise of action at the national level. Building on the previous three installments of award-winning programming, this year’s broadcast will feature field reports with activists, town hall-style discussions with experts, one-on-one interviews with celebrities, and artistic performances.

“Carbon pollution is already having a profound impact on our climate, but the good news is that we have all the tools we need to overcome this challenge,” said Al Gore. “It’s time our leaders stop asking ‘What do we do?’ and instead ask ‘How can we accelerate the shift to a sustainable future powered by cheap, clean renewable energy, with sustainable agriculture and forestry.’ This year’s 24 Hours of Reality will signal a transition in the global conversation on climate change where we highlight the solutions at hand and empower individuals to take simple actions to aid this global fight.”

The first 24 Hours of Reality began with the idea that much can change in a day. That’s why, throughout the program, viewers will be asked to dedicate a day to making a difference in the climate fight. The combined efforts from viewers across the world will make 24 Reasons for Hope the kickoff for a global commitment to better our communities and transition to a clean energy future.

“24 Reasons for Hope will ask each of us to dedicate a day to make a difference,” said Ken Berlin, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project. “Climate change is big and complex, but that means there are hundreds of ways to contribute. Whether it’s a parent organizing a renewable energy fair at school, or a young professional pledging to become a Climate Reality Leader, or a student working to elect a clean energy candidate, we all have different ways and different days to contribute.”

In addition to former Vice President Al Gore and Climate Reality Project President and CEO Ken Berlin, a variety of international celebrities, musicians, advocates, and other special guests will join the broadcast.

This is huge - another reminder to urgently act on climate change.

The year 2014 ranks as Earth’s warmest since 1880, according to two separate analyses byNASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists. 2014 was 0.69°C (1.24°F) above the 20th century average of 14.1°C, making it the hottest year on record since NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center began taking measurements in 1880.

The 10 warmest years in the instrumental record, with the exception of 1998, have now occurred since 2000. This trend continues a long-term warming of the planet, according to an analysis of surface temperature measurements by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) in New York.