- link Copy URL - [ Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Climate Change, Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Change Adaption 101 https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/15215?absolute=1&via=3blnews "Share on X") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/15215?absolute=1 "Share on Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/15215?absolute=1 "Share on Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Climate Change, Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Change Adaption 101&body=ESG News from Taiga Company https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/15215?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Environment](/categories/environment) # Climate Change, Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Change Adaption 101 ##### Blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company Jul 12, 2011 11:30 AM ET [Taiga Company blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Compa…](http://blog.taigacompany.com/blog/sustainability-business-life-environment/climate-change-climate-change-mitigation-and-climate-change-adaption-101) Climate change, climate mitigation, and climate change adaptation, oh my! So many distinctions to make. With expanding global climate discussions it has become critical for many companies to have comprehensive business sustainability strategies to address emissions. Our sustainability consulting experiences over the last few years has revealed that leaders are beginning to understand the risks and costs associated with both their organization's direct and indirect exposure and taking action to address climate change risk; however, there are distinctions to be made in strategies. First off, let's define climate change. According to the [United Nations Framework](http://www.ecomii.com/ecopedia/climate-change) Convention on Climate Change, Article 1, Climate change is “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.” How we as individuals and businesses address climate change can take many forms. Climate mitigation and climate adaptation are both critical but quite distinct responses to climate change, even though the terminology is confusing. To understand the relationship between the terms, the post [Memes in Action: Climate Mitigation vs. Climate Adaptation](http://www.climatechangewater.org/files/2009_v_28a.php) uses an easy analogy. "Imagine you’re in a car driving quickly and you realize suddenly that you’re headed towards an obstruction like a wall or a building. Your first response should be to reduce your velocity — put your brakes on hard and slow down. That’s climate mitigation. Climate mitigation focuses on greenhouse gases in the atmosphere — how they get there, how to reduce their rate of emissions, and how to remove them. Ultimately, you want to avoid an impact if you can, and if you’re going to hit the obstruction anyway, you’ll definitely benefit from reducing your speed before you have a collision. Sustainable business strategies addressing climate mitigation focus on eco actions to decrease or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [**Continue reading about climate change action....**](http://blog.taigacompany.com/blog/sustainability-business-life-environment/climate-change-climate-change-mitigation-and-climate-change-adaption-101) *Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world.* [*Taiga Company*](http://taigacompany.com) *seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".* [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/TaigaLogoFull_1.jpg)](/profiles/taiga-company) ### More from Taiga Company ###### [Addressing True Business Sustainability Change on the Front End](/news/addressing-true-business-sustainability-change-front-end) Mar 8, 2013 7:00 AM ET ###### [Why Engagement is a Cornerstone of Employee Wellbeing and Sustainable Business](/news/why-engagement-cornerstone-employee-wellbeing-and-sustainable-business) Mar 7, 2013 7:00 AM ET ###### [Are You Embracing Your Business Sustainability Mavericks?](/news/are-you-embracing-your-business-sustainability-mavericks) Mar 6, 2013 7:00 AM ET ###### [3 Tips for Effective and Sustainable Innovation Team Building](/news/3-tips-effective-and-sustainable-innovation-team-building) Mar 5, 2013 7:00 AM ET ###### [ROI Influencing Social Media Engagement for Sustainability](/news/roi-influencing-social-media-engagement-sustainability) Mar 1, 2013 7:00 AM ET ###### [Business Sustainability Leaders Talk About Innovation](/news/business-sustainability-leaders-talk-about-innovation) Feb 28, 2013 7:00 AM ET ###### [Green Living Apps to Like On Pinterest](/news/green-living-apps-pinterest) Feb 27, 2013 7:00 AM ET ###### [Sustainable Innovation - Don’t Let Your Organization Get in It’s Own Way](/news/sustainable-innovation-dont-let-your-organization-get-its-own-way) Feb 26, 2013 7:00 AM ET