Mitigation – reducing climate change – involves reducing the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, either by reducing sources of these gases (for example, the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat or transport) or enhancing the “sinks” that accumulate and store these gases (such as the oceans, forests and soil). 

United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration..(2021, October 13). Mitigation and Adaptation/ Solutions-Climate Change. Climate.nasa.gov. https://climate.nasa.gov/solutions/adaptation-mitigation/

Adaptation – adapting to life in a changing climate – involves adjusting to actual or expected future climate. The goal is to reduce our vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change (like sea-level encroachment, more intense extreme weather events or food insecurity). It also encompasses making the most of any potential beneficial opportunities associated with climate change (for example, longer growing seasons or increased yields in some regions).

 United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration..(2021, October 13). Mitigation and Adaptation/ Solutions-Climate Change. Climate.nasa.gov. https://climate.nasa.gov/solutions/adaptation-mitigation/ 

Climate resilience is the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate. Improving climate resilience involves assessing how climate change will create new, or alter current, climate-related risks, and taking steps to better cope with these risks.

Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (n.d.) Climate Resilience Portal. https://www.c2es.org/content/climate-resilience-overview/