Adaptation is definitely the better idea. One good reason that it's superior to prevention is that it doesn't suffer from the externality problem. Me reducing

Adaptation is definitely the better idea. One good reason that it's superior to prevention is that it doesn't suffer from the externality problem. Me reducing my carbon output is a cost to me and a benefit to everyone else. On the other hand, me preparing for climate change is a cost to me but the benefits are also to me. To effectively prevent climate change, we have to get every country on board with reducing emissions. 1/3 or 1/2 of the countries is good, but won't prevent it. Add in the additional fact that some countries such as Russia benefit from a warming climate and any plans for prevention quickly deteriorate. There is just no good way to ensure long term (100+ year) global coordination.