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CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Catching maladaptation before it happens

Years of research on adaptation to climate change shows that many efforts are counterproductively increasing vulnerability, rather than reducing it — known as ‘maladaptation’. Now a study suggests ways forward by identifying four structural challenges that need to be overcome in adaptation implementation.

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Fig. 1: Protective sea wall in Fiji.

dpa picture alliance/Alamy Stock Photo.

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Correspondence to E. Lisa F. Schipper.

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Schipper, E.L.F. Catching maladaptation before it happens. Nat. Clim. Chang. 12, 617–618 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01409-2

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