What is the difference between climate change mitigation and adaptation?

• A. Mitigation reduces causes (emissions); adaptation adjusts to impacts.
• B. Mitigation increases energy use; adaptation reduces emissions.
• C. Mitigation adapts to climate impacts; adaptation reduces emissions.
• D. Mitigation and adaptation are the same concept applied to different sectors.

Answer: (A)

Mitigation and adaptation address climate change in different ways: mitigation aims to reduce the causes by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing sinks, while adaptation focuses on adjusting to the impacts to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience. Reducing causes means actions like shifting to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and protecting forests that store carbon. Adjusting to impacts means actions like building flood defenses, developing drought-resistant crops, and improving water management and early warning systems.

So the statement that best fits is that mitigation reduces causes (emissions) and adaptation adjusts to impacts. The idea that mitigation increases energy use or that adaptation reduces emissions isn’t accurate, and saying they’re the same concept ignores their distinct focuses.