Journal
CLIMATE POLICY
Volume 11, Issue 4, Pages 1177-1183Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2011.579315
Keywords
adaptation paths; climate policy; development paths; low carbon society; Maldives
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Amory Lovins' distinction between 'soft' and 'hard' paths of energy technologies is applied, mutatis mutandis, to humanity's efforts to adapt to climate change. It is argued that hard adaptive measures involve capital-intensive, large, complex, inflexible technology and infrastructure, whereas soft adaptive measures prioritize natural capital, community control, simplicity and appropriateness. The prevalence of these two types of adaptation pathways is illustrated through two case studies from the Maldives: The Safer Island Development Program and the Integrating Climate Change Risks Program. Policymakers must be aware that hard and soft adaptation measures may trade off with each other, and give both paths due consideration.
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