While there is a recognised need to adapt to changing climatic conditions, there is an emerging discourse of limits to such adaptation. Limits are traditionally analysed as a set of immutable thresholds in biological, economic or technological parameters. This paper contends that limits to adaptation are endogenous to society and hence contingent on ethics, knowledge, attitudes to risk and culture. We review insights from history, sociology and psychology of risk, economics and political science to develop four propositions concerning limits to adaptation. First, any limits to adaptation depend on the ultimate goals of adaptation underpinned by diverse values. Second, adaptation need not be limited by uncertainty around future foresight of risk. Third, social and individual factors limit adaptation action. Fourth, systematic undervaluation of loss of places and culture disguises real, experienced but subjective limits to adaptation. We conclude that these issues of values and ethics, risk, knowledge and culture construct societal limits to adaptation, but that these limits are mutable.

W. Neil Adger

Suraje Dessai

Marisa Goulden

Mike Hulme

Irene Lorenzoni

Donald R. Nelson

Lars Otto Naess

Johanna Wolf

Anita Wreford

Climatic Change

气候变化致力于气候变率和变化问题的整体性——它的描述、原因、影响和它们之间的相互作用。该杂志的目的是为不同学科的工作人员就气候变化相关问题提供一种交流方式。这意味着作者有机会向其他气候相关学科的人们和感兴趣的非学科人员传达他们研究的精髓，以及报告原创性在于（不一定是原创的）组合的研究来自多个学科的工作。该杂志还包括充满活力的社论和书评部分。

The journal "Climatic Change" focuses on the various aspects of climate change, including its description, causes, impacts, and their interrelations. The aim of the journal is to provide a platform for researchers from different disciplines to communicate about issues related to climate change. This allows authors to convey the essence of their research to other climate-related scholars and interested non-specialists. Additionally, the journal features a vibrant section of editorials and book reviews, showcasing the originality and interdisciplinary nature of the research.

《Climatic Change》期刊专注于气候变化的各个方面，包括气候变化的描述、成因、影响及其相互关系。该期刊旨在为来自不同学科的研究人员提供一个交流平台，以探讨与气候变化相关的问题。这意味着作者可以向其他气候相关学科的研究者以及对这些问题感兴趣的非专业人士传达他们研究的核心内容。此外，期刊还包含活跃的社论和书评部分，展示多学科研究的原创性和综合性。

Category	Quartile
环境科学与生态学	2
环境科学与生态学, 环境科学	2
环境科学与生态学, 气象与大气科学	2

Are there social limits to adaptation to climate change?

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
METEOROLOGY & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES	1