Introduction

What is adaptation to climate change? 

Adaptation can be described as adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected changes in the climate, which reduces negative impacts or exploits opportunities. There are various types of adaptation.

• Planned adaptation - the result of a deliberate policy decision
• Reactive adaptation - takes place in response to the consequences of a particular event
• Anticipatory adaptation - takes place before impacts of climate change are observed
• Spontaneous (or autonomous) adaptation - is not a conscious response, but is triggered by ecological changes, and by market or welfare changes.

The above definition is taken from the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) glossary.

To bring this to life in an accessible way, Defra have produced these Future Worlds images. Six images show potential ways to adapt to climate change in both urban and natural environments, based on our understanding of what the climate will be like in 2030.
 

What climate change can we expect?

Detailed information about the climate projections is available via the section on Future Climate, but the headlines are as follows. During the 21st century, we can expect:

• Hotter, drier summers
• Warmer, wetter winters
• More frequent severe weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and floods.

The rest of this introductory section can be navigated using the menu on the right hand side.