The first thing that comes to our minds when we think of the drastic climatic changes is the fact that it is caused by global warming. A couple of years ago, scientists and climate experts were of the opinion that something had to be done to nullify or at least reduce the effects of warming up the earth. We didn’t do anything substantial back then and now we have are reaping the ‘benefits’.

Initially the emphasis was on trying to ‘mitigate’ the causes that led to global warming. Now it is how we could change our lifestyles to ‘adapt’ to the changes that have already been effected and that would continue for a long time to come. Adaptation becomes necessary because the emission gases that have been built up over the years cannot be done away with in a day or two – CO2 would remain in the air while the water bodies would store the heat for a few more decades; Adaptation can come only with the acceptance that global warming is leading to a significant change in the climatic conditions. Some countries that are in the forefront of changing their way of living to be able to cope with the damages are:

The Netherlands – This low lying country wants to limit the number of failures in its river systems and consequent flooding to 1 in 1250 years. The Dutch want to make room for the excess water caused by the melting of the Alps and have hence earmarked areas. This is called ‘Living with Water’. To not lose its coastal cities, this nation has to spend about 1.3 billion dollars every year.

Bangladesh – has taken to prawn farming in a big way thanks to the rising sea level which causes frequent flooding and thus makes the lands saltier. Because of its poverty, Bangladesh cannot afford to have a very reliable defense mechanism in place. Britain is subsidizing a massive program in this regard because it considers Bangladesh a testing ground to see what other island countries including Britain could do to protect themselves against the rising waters.

Britain – has constructed the Thames Barrier and has been adding inches to the existing floodgates. Bilston village which is being planned 120 miles from London would be a low Carbon user and also be able to fight the changes in the climate; it is an example of mitigating and adapting.

What we need to understand is that whatever barriers are built to lower the effects of the rising sea levels, it may not be sufficient. We need to modify our lifestyle as adaptation is the only way out. Also we need to understand that adaptation is not going to be an option, but a necessity.