Adaptation Measures

6.0 ADAPTATION MEASURES FOR CONSIDERATION

Many of the management practices in the Great Lakes region are predicated on the fact

that the past is a reliable guide to the future.  However, a changing climate challenges

managers.  They must examine: How is the climate changing? How great or rapid are the

changes? What and who might be affected? What adaptations must be made to cope with

the changes? When or how fast must these adaptations be made? What are the costs?

What are the impediments to adaptation? What is the capacity to adapt?  Climate change

may exacerbate existing issues within the region and adds a new component to consider

in planning, management, and program implementation.  Adaptation links needs of today

with problems of tomorrow.

A preliminary list of potential adaptation measures was drawn from the proceedings of

symposia and workshops and well as climate change assessment reports (see Table 6-1).  

Identifying possible adaptations is the first step and numerous lists have been developed.  

The next steps are more difficult and require consultation and collaboration amongst

stakeholders and practitioners in the Great Lakes region because managing to meet

multiple demands in a changing environment requires an integrated approach.  The

process includes:  

1.

Assessing and evaluating potential adaptation measures;

2.

Choosing preferred adaptation measures;

3.

Developing action plans that contain a portfolio of adaptation measures and

incorporate means to address barriers to adaptation;

4.

Implementing adaptations;

5.

Monitoring impacts and adaptation measures for effectiveness; and

6.

Reassessing adaptation measures.

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