The Climate Crisis and the Adaptation Myth

Influential studies have predicted that moderate climate change, up to 3 or 4 degrees F, will not be very damaging to the United States as a whole and will bring some benefits. Underlying the argument that climate change will not be very damaging to the U.S. economy is the contention that vulnerable organizations, firms and households will take steps to adapt. This assumption is based partly on the fact that the United States is rich in technology, economic resources, competent organizations and educated people, all of which combine to create a high capacity to adapt.

Are these assumptions justified? Certainly the potential for adaptation exists.