What Are the Options?

As you saw on the preceding pages, models predict a scary future if society does nothing to address climate change. The good news is that making sound choices today can change the outcome. Scientists not only understand the problems of climate change, they also understand how to solve them.

"Society has only three options.... If we want to minimize suffering, as should be our goal, we need to maximize both mitigation and adaptation." — John Holdren, Harvard University

WATCH THIS!

Watch this video to learn about the three basic choices for addressing climate change. After you watch, answer the questions in the Take Notes section below.

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Video Transcript

NARRATOR: The path ahead comes down to three basic options. We can do nothing, and suffer the consequences. We can adapt as the changes unfold. Or we can act now to mitigate, or limit the damage. The options are connected. The more we mitigate, the less we would need to adapt. The more we adapt and mitigate, the less we would suffer.

JOHN HOLDREN, Harvard University: Society has only three options; and if we want to minimize suffering, as should be our goal, we need to maximize both mitigation and adaptation.

Take Notes

In your own words, describe each of the three options laid out in the video and explain how they are connected.
Describe how various groups in your community might suffer if we choose to not take any action against climate change. Examples may include homeowners, farmers, business owners, the elderly, or your classmates.

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