Cooperation on different scales
On Friday December 16, the last webinar in the series 'Climate Adaptation: solutions from different corners of the world' took place. After five inspiring webinars in which we compared the Dutch situation and solutions abroad, we now focused on how we should shape the transition together. To this end, two top speakers joined us: Neelke Doorn, Professor Ethics of water engineering at TU Delft and Former Commander of the Armed Forces Tom Middendorp.
Watch video (57 minutes, Nederlands ondertiteld)
Summary
00:00:00 - Introduction by Rudy van Beurden
00:06:56 - Presentation by Neelke Doorn. She talks about the ethics of climate adaptation, treating the 'what' and the 'who' of climate adaptation. Be careful of maladaptive solutions, that shift the problem elsewhere or create new problems. And if you expect people to take responsibility for climate adaptation, really look at what they are able to do.
00:24:02 - Tom Middendorp talks about climate adaptation from a security perspective. First, he looks at the big picture of climate change and handles the impact on security. Then he elaborates on our possibilities for climate proofing and the resilience we have as a species to adapt to extreme situations. Innovation, and opening our doors to it as governments, has a big role in that.
00:38:33 - Q&A with Neelke Doorn and Tom Middendorp.
00:41:57 - Tom Middendorp gives a summary on what you, me, everyone can do within our own circle of influence to contribute to the solution of climate adaptation. A main factor is opening our doors for innovation, even though most of these ideas won't succeed. If only a few of them do, they could be a key factor in overcoming climate change.
Q&A
The planetary boundaries provide an excellent framework for thinking about how to take climate adaptation measures. Indeed, taking an adaptive measure that comes at the expense of one of the other boundaries, especially if it is one that is close to a tipping point, could be seen as an instance of maladaptation. So one should preferably choice those adaptation measures that also contribute in a positive way to other boundaries. The same applies to climate mitigation of course. Also here, mitigation actions that avoid negative impacts on the other planetary boundaries are to be preferred over mitigation actions that have this negative impact.
There are many networks and partnerships in all kinds of areas.
A network that appeals to me is the Water, Peace and Security (WPS) initiative in which various organisations (Deltaris, HCSS, WRI, TU Delft, Wilson Institute, Clingendael, etc.) work together in the field of water and security.
Our network can be found at www.imccs.org.
Editor's note: we made a list of networks, that you van find below. Let us know if you would like to add one.
A main factor is opening our doors for startups innovation, even though most of these ideas won't succeed. If only a few of them do, they could become a key factor in overcoming climate change.
Tom Middendorp
Innovation networks to join (some examples)
Organizors
