Adaptation Leader as a not-for profit:
Our Purpose & Roles

Adaptation Leader will fill several important gaps that have limited awareness and understanding of, and adequate responses to, the threats posed by rapid and significant changes in global climate. To do so, we will perform the following roles:

Researcher and Analyst

To address the limits of current understanding, we will develop information and findings on topics pertinent to adaptation, such as current risks and readiness for adaptation; innovative adaptation methods, approaches, technologies, and policies; best practices; relevant standards; and more. Points of application might include the company/organization, community, state, regional, and national levels. Our interdisciplinary team will provide a unique set of perspectives to adaptation challenges and solutions.

Convener

Because effective adaptation in any specific location requires the cooperation of (and ideally, active collaboration among) different parties, it is essential that all affected stakeholders are provided access to any adaptation planning and decision making. Moreover, adaptation approaches that have been applied in one place may have application in many others. Because climate adaptation is a nascent field, it is essential that communities of practice focused on this discipline take shape quickly and work productively. Adaptation Leader will play a prominent role in making this happen through events, online platforms and multi-stakeholder processes.

Educator

Despite several recent years of extreme weather, there is still only limited awareness of the need to not only reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (to avoid making the problem worse) but also actively adapt to the changes in climate that are already locked in. To that end, we will develop and deliver training workshops, webinars, and other events to bring about greater understanding and motivation to take action. We also will develop, compile, and disseminate best practices, effective methods, tools, and other items that help individuals, organizations, and communities mount a more active and effective response to the challenges posed by climate change. We expect to influence the agenda and enhance adaptation literacy for professional associations, for trade associations, for NGOs and community groups, and in higher education.

Advisor

As noted above, many organizations have only limited understanding of the challenges that climate change poses to their continued operation (or even existence) and how best to respond. We will provide assistance and guidance to those who seek help, and develop their internal capacity to more fully understand and respond to their specific climate-related challenges. See more details under Our Focus Areas: