Yes, that whole adaptation tactic (to deal with climate change) strikes me as a kind of "non-solution." It's like saying nature isn't a problem, our ability to adapt is a problem.
Gee, I think I'd agree with that, as a general philosophical statement.
But in this case....
I guess it's a semantic problem. What do we mean by adapting?
Would being smart enough to change the climate be an adaptation?
Hmm, we've been doing that for thousands of years already.
That's been the secret to our success, so far!
Yes, "Adapt, Improvise and Overcome" (U.S Marines). It's the secret of our success, but it may transpire that it's the secret of our failure. Humans have impeded genetic adaptation to many of their habitats because they have instead modified the environment to meet their needs. This is self-perpetuating: we modify the habitat, so obviating the need to evolve - i.e., we preclude the opportunity for Darwinian evolution - and so are compelled to continue to modify it. The result is the ever increasing complexity and sophistication of human civilization. Human beings are a phenomenally successful product of evolution.
So, we evolved with the ability and propensity to modify our environment. We can only hope that this evolutionary strategy proves successful enough to get us over the major hurdles that lie ahead.
How do we adapt?
(a) Do we modify the clmate?
(b) Do we develop technology to counter adverse climate changes?
(c) Both (a) and (b)?
