GED Social Studies TestGeography and the WorldMedium
A small island nation is facing rising sea levels, leading to the loss of coastal land and freshwater sources. Its government is considering strategies such as building sea walls, relocating communities, and developing desalination plants. These actions are examples of which type of response to environmental change?
- AAdaptation
- BRemediation
- CMitigation
- DConservation
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Adaptation
The actions described—building sea walls, relocating communities, developing desalination plants—are all measures taken to adjust to the effects of rising sea levels, which is the definition of adaptation to environmental change.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Remediation is the process of reversing or stopping environmental damage, usually after it has occurred (e.g., cleaning up pollution).
- C. Mitigation involves reducing the causes of climate change (e.g., cutting emissions), not coping with its effects.
- D. Conservation involves protecting natural resources, but these actions are specifically about adjusting to a new reality.
Climate Change Adaptation
Adjustments in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.
- Focuses on coping with impacts already happening or expected.
- Examples include building defenses, changing agricultural practices.
- Distinct from mitigation, which reduces causes.
Memory trick: We can mitigate its causes or adapt to its changes.