Journal Article

A systematic global stocktake of evidence on human adaptation to climate change

Doshi Deepal, Austin, Stephanie E, Harden, Alexandra, Lesnikowski Alexandra, Magnan, Alexandre K, Petzold, Jan, Ouni Souha, Warda, Ajaz, Murillo Julia B Pazmino, Segnon, Alcade C, Hamilton, Nikita Charles, Morecroft, Mike D, Hernandez, Rebecca R, Wannewitz Mia, van Bavel Bianca, Sitati Asha, Hegde Greeshma, Harper Sherilee, Jurjonas Matthew, Biesbroek Robbert, Williams, Portia Adade, Siña, Mariella Z, Reckien Diana, Elliott, Susan, Kumar, Praveen, Maskell, Gina, Duncan, Emily, Nagle Alverio Gabriela, Lissner Tabea, Sardans Jordi, Koller, Steven F, Siders, A R, van Aalst Maarten, New, Mark, Bhatt, Indra D, Anuszka, Mosurska, Vhalinavho, Khavhagali, Nielsen, Miriam, Shukla Roopam, Haasnoot Marjolijn, Abu, Thelma Zulfawu, Chalastani, Vasiliki I, Trivedi Hasti, Minx, Jan C, Pentz, Brian, Ulibarri, Nicola, Kirchhoff, Christine J, Zommers Zinta, Salubi, Eunice A, Enquist Carolyn A F, Berrang-Ford, Lea, Haddaway Neal R, Niemann, Jennifer, bes, Andrew, Mach, Katharine J, Nayna, Schwerdtle Patricia, Deryng Delphine, Anderson, Christa, van Maanen Nicole, Theokritoff Emily, Coughlan de Perez Erin, Bezner Kerr Rachel

2021

Overview

Assessing global progress on human adaptation to climate change is an urgent priority. Although the literature on adaptation to climate change is rapidly expanding, little is known about the actual extent of implementation. We systematically screened >48,000 articles using machine learning methods and a global network of 126 researchers. Our synthesis of the resulting 1,682 articles presents a systematic and comprehensive global stocktake of implemented human adaptation to climate change. Documented adaptations were largely fragmented, local and incremental, with limited evidence of transformational adaptation and negligible evidence of risk reduction outcomes. We identify eight priorities for global adaptation research: assess the effectiveness of adaptation responses, enhance the understanding of limits to adaptation, enable individuals and civil society to adapt, include missing places, scholars and scholarship, understand private sector responses, improve methods for synthesizing different forms of evidence, assess the adaptation at different temperature thresholds, and improve the inclusion of timescale and the dynamics of responses.Determining progress in adaptation to climate change is challenging, yet critical as climate change impacts increase. A stocktake of the scientific literature on implemented adaptation now shows that adaptation is mostly fragmented and incremental, with evidence lacking for its impact on reducing risk.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: Adaptation / Climate adaptation / Climate change / Environmental assessment / Environmental impact / Learning algorithms / Machine learning / Methods / Private sector / Risk management / Risk reduction / Temperature effects