Short-term and poorly thought-out solutions are hardly solutions at all.
[Related:Another issue with maladaptation is that it often shifts one community’s climate problems onto another. For instance, a certain neighborhood in a city might be able to build dykes and flood walls—but the rainwater still has to go somewhere. Often, it ends up in an area with fewer resources and no way to take on these costly projects, Khirfan says.
These kinds of poorly planned strategies can lead to forced relocation or retreat, says Khirfan, which can have serious negative impacts on communities that are already struggling the most with climate change.Some of the worst maladaptation policies can trigger new climate vulnerabilities for a group of people. Khirfan gives the example of water distribution in places like the Middle East.
These kinds of interventions can also lead populations to make less sustainable decisions overall. For example, Ethiopia has plenty of water resources available, but they aren’t particularly well spread-out, says Schipper. When farmers in drier parts of the country are able to feed their irrigation systems, they tend to plant high-value crops that require a lot of water, instead of starting to prepare for when the resources will run out.
“[Farmers] may feel like they have more security, so they end up focusing on cash crops rather than drought-resistant subsistence crops,” Schipper explains. Water-retention and conservation techniques might also fall to the wayside if farmers believe they will be protected by insurance.The main thing that planners and leaders can do to avoid maladaptation is to listen to all groups of people—whether it be undocumented immigrants, women, or religious minorities.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Barry Choi: Why paying with cash instead of credit can still make senseIn this age of going cashless, cash itself could help you save
Read more »
Why some Americans haven't gotten COVID yet and why it's not inevitable they ever will: ExpertsDoctors said there are several reasons millions of Americans have yet to contract the virus. One of those reasons is human behaviors, meaning people take proper precautions to lower their risk of getting infected.
Read more »
Why companies are rushing to set net zero targetsNet zero targets could produce real progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the next few decades — assuming the targets will actually be met and not leave out important factors like the emissions from using a company's products.
Read more »
A legacy of ‘secrecy and deception’: Why Russia clings to an outlawed chemical arsenalThe Biden administration has repeatedly warned in recent weeks that Russia, frustrated with the faltering progress of its 3-week-old invasion of Ukraine, may be preparing to use chemical or even biological weapons against Ukrainian troops, political leaders or even ordinary civilians in an effort to regain momentum and seize control of key cities.
Read more »
Chronically sleepless: Why is it so hard to get good shut-eye?Understand why is it so hard to get good shut-eye? - via healthing_ca healthing canada health
Read more »