The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) is looking ahead at the impacts of climate change. Human health, agriculture, natural resources, and built environments are all likely to be impacted by environmental issues, but with a consideration for future costs and a keen eye on climate projection, MCAP is aiming to reduce the potential harm.
"We're a team of over twenty staff," says Nate Meyer, Associate Director and Extension Program Leader for MCAP. "We have team members who understand and do everything from modeling climate change and projecting how climate change is likely to impact Minnesota, to connecting those climate changes to important issues that we face." Outreach about preparation and adaptation is also a large part of what the Partnership does by engaging with communities and businesses.
Getting ahead of future climate costs is also paramount for MCAP. "The cost of doing nothing to tackle climate change is in the billions of dollars by the end of the century and far outweighs the cost of actions that we can start taking now," says Meyer. "Bolstering our health systems, preparing for increased flooding, managing droughts and extreme rains are all ways that we can help mitigate those high costs and damages that we're likely to experience in the future."
The Climate Adaptation Partnership is also taking nominations for their annual Minnesota Climate Adaptation Awards. Anyone is invited to nominate individuals, organizations, and collaboratives who are leading climate resilience efforts.
More information about the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership, as well as details about the study on climate cost and climate projection, can be found on the University of Minnesota website.
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