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What is the difference between climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation?

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Grinnell Glacier shrinkage — Global warming A series of photographs of the Grinnell Glacier taken from the summit of Mount Gould in Glacier National Park, Montana, in (from left) 1938, 1981, 1998, and 2006. In 1938 the Grinnell Glacier filled the entire area at the bottom of the image. By 2006 it had largely disappeared from this view.

To address the challenges of global warming, societies generally employ two distinct strategies: mitigation and adaptation. These approaches are complementary but serve different functions in managing the climate crisis.12

Climate Change Mitigation

Mitigation focuses on the root cause of global warming by reducing or stabilizing the flow of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Because carbon dioxide can persist in the atmosphere for thousands of years, mitigation is essential for slowing the pace of future warming. Key efforts include:12
* Transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower.12
* Improving energy efficiency in transportation and industry.2
* Implementing carbon capture and storage technologies.12
* Promoting reforestation and sustainable land management.12

Climate Change Adaptation

Adaptation involves adjusting to the current and projected impacts of a changing climate to reduce the vulnerability of human, animal, and plant populations. Rather than stopping the warming itself, adaptation seeks to manage the consequences that are already occurring or are inevitable. Examples include:1
* Building infrastructure to defend against rising sea levels and flooding.12
* Developing and planting drought-resistant crops to maintain food security.1
* Adjusting agricultural practices to respond to shifting seasonal patterns.2

While mitigation aims to prevent further warming, adaptation is a necessary response to the changes that cannot be avoided.1