Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming describes climate adaptation as a long-term form of disaster prevention. (Photo: Daisy Chuang)
Each year could now be the coolest summer of our lifetime. With global average temperature surpassing the 1.5°C threshold in 2024, extreme weather is expected to grow more frequent and severe. This series, “Climate adaptation in action,” explores Taiwan’s policy pathways and challenges in climate adaptation, while also highlighting how businesses can leverage weather data to manage risks and capture new opportunities.
Climate adaptation is essentially long-term disaster prevention, but the real challenge lies in implementation—turning awareness into action, said Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明). He admitted that no country in the world is fully prepared for climate adaptation, but stressed that what can be done now is to build broader awareness and reduce the impacts of climate shocks.
Climate adaptation likened to cancer fight highlights long-term challenge
Climate change is not a distant issue for 2050. In early July, Typhoon Danas brought severe damage to southern and central Taiwan, toppling the ceremonial archway of Nankunshen Temple in Tainan, flooding Lukang Mazu Temple in Changhua, and overturning a large number of floating solar panels with gusts reaching force 16. The destruction underscored the urgent need for government to strengthen climate resilience and adaptation capacity.
