Adapting to climate change
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changing conditions are complementary approaches to dealing with climate change, and we need to do both.
Governments, businesses, community groups, families and individuals all have a role in adapting to climate change. Adaptation means limiting the impacts and making the most of any opportunities. Some potential adaptation measures for the NT are:
- improving cyclone-resistance of buildings
- planning to avoid building in storm surge zones
- ensuring homes and commercial buildings are designed appropriately for the Territory’s climate, and feature shading and insulation
- improving water-use efficiency
- changing behaviour to suit conditions, for example ensuring elderly relatives are not left alone during heatwaves, or avoiding being outdoors in the middle of the day
- changing to crops which are tolerant of projected conditions
- monitoring and controlling pests and weeds
- retaining adequate areas of native vegetation for the migration of plants and animals
- improving understanding of our local climate and how it is changing
- improving understanding of tropical diseases and monitoring mosquito borne diseases
Taking steps to prepare for climate change and reduce the impacts it will have is essential, and is everybody’s responsibility.