The conference of the Estonian Environmental Law Centre entitled "Time to adapt to climate change, but how?" discussed whether Estonia is doing enough to successfully cope with the climate crisis. Aveliina Helm, Head of the Landscape Biodiversity Workgroup at the University of Tartu and Professor of Restoration Ecology, stressed the importance of ensuring diversity in coping with the changing climate.
At the conference discussed whether Estonia, as a state, plans measures where it needs to, and as quickly as it needs, and also asked what the role of the state, local government, companies and residents will play in successful adaptation.
Discussing Estonia's steps to adapt to climate change, Aveliina Helm emphasised the importance of diversity in solving the problems caused by the changing climate.
"The state of nature is directly related to climate change - diverse nature is our ally, while poor nature reduces the chance of adaptation. The more diverse we can make both natural and economic and social systems, the more resilient we will be. We must strive to use natural diversity as efficiently as possible." Increasingly, excess deaths are associated with climate change - sudden drought, flooding, storm damage have led countries to need to tackle emergencies effectively and directly.
"We have to think about very serious situations and also about those that we have not had in Estonia so far. For example, a two-week heat wave during which several people are alone in apartments. Who keeps in touch with these people? Who helps them with everyday things?"
You can watch the conference here (in Estonian).
More information:
Aveliina Helm
