Saltwater intrusion induced by climate change presents an explicit threat to the Earth’s coastal regions. How can communities best adapt to the risks for agriculture and ecosystems?

Protected lands along the US eastern seaboard could help shield communities from the impacts of climate change—but these coastal ecosystems are at risk and their ability to bolster resilience hinges on federal, state, and local adaptation measures.

Climate change adaptation presents unique challenges, unlike those associated with mitigation. The benefits of a successful adaptation strategy will have to materialize well before the efficacy of a mitigation policy takes hold.

What does the Republic of Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific, have in common with the state of California? Whether the former’s inundation, brought on by Cyclone Pam in March, was exacerbated by sea-level rise or whether the latter’s prolonged drought might, similarly, be an early harbinger of global warming—each case dashes the illusion that there is time to spare. Even if there were, the long-term benefits of a global greenhouse gas mitigation regime remain an uncertain prospect. In short, a delay in adaptation to unavoidable climatic threats is an unaffordable luxury—action can no longer be averted on account of eventual mitigation measures.

A summary of some of the most critical aspects of the economic and financial risks from climate change faced by society today, resulting from a workshop hosted by RFF and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Each succeeding year in which the world fails to agree to forceful and binding commitments to slash releases of greenhouse gas emissions underscores the increased urgency of complementary measures to strengthen resilience to impacts of global warming that may no longer be avoided or sufficiently mitigated through just emissions reduction.

A class-action lawsuit (complaint here) by Farmers insurance against Chicago and other Illinois cities has gotten some attention (e.g., here, here, and here) because of its connection with climate change. In simple terms, Farmers (along with other insurers and property owners) suffered a lot of damage as a result of floods in April of last year, most notably in the form of sewer backups into homes and businesses.