Adaptation Planning

Preparing for Climate Change In the Islands Trust Area

At both global and local levels, there is increasing evidence that climate change is already in motion. Even if the world could reduce greenhouse gases to a safe level tomorrow scientists expect that some changes to the climate will still occur as a result of the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere.

The Islands Trust’s Strategic Plan (2008-2011) includes the objective of minimizing the impact of climate change upon islands and communities. The three main strategies include:

• Researching and communicating about expected climate change impacts
• Developing a climate change adaptation plan
• Integrating climate change adaptation into land use planning and regulatory decisions

Island communities and ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate change and Islands Trust Area social, economic and environmental systems could be impacted in many ways. Please see our Climate Change Impacts in the Islands Trust Area for more information