Since the 1990s, climate change responses have been divided into two main categories: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation focuses on reducing the causes of climate change, primarily by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, while adaptation involves adjusting to its effects, such as extreme weather or rising sea levels. However, this division has led to confusion and, in some cases, maladaptation—actions intended to help communities cope with climate change that actually worsen the problem, such as by increasing emissions. The term "adaptation" has gained prominence in climate discussions, covering actions like changing farming practices, improving building insulation, and managing financial risks from climate events. It was first introduced in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and later formalized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1995. At that time, adaptation was recognized as one of two main strategies to address climate change, the other being mitigation. Despite its widespread use, the distinction between adaptation and mitigation has proven difficult to maintain. Experts have found it challenging to clearly separate the two in practice. For example, during the development of Paris' first climate plan in 2008, participants struggled to distinguish between adaptation and mitigation efforts. Similar challenges were observed in field studies involving a wide range of local stakeholders, including environmental groups, government officials, and health professionals. Over time, the concept of adaptation has grown more complex, especially with the inclusion of insights from social and human sciences. The latest IPCC report from 2022 reflects this complexity, offering 18 different definitions of adaptation—more than double the number from 2014. This evolution highlights how difficult it is to define adaptation clearly, as it is often seen as a "wicked problem" with no single solution. Maladaptation, first mentioned in the 2001 IPCC report, refers to adaptation measures that unintentionally increase climate risks, such as by boosting emissions. While the idea of "bonnadaptation"—or positive adaptation—has not been formally defined, it could describe actions that not only help communities adapt but also reduce emissions. Ian Burton, a pioneering researcher in adaptation, argued that the strict separation between mitigation and adaptation in international agreements may have hindered effective climate action. He suggested that an integrated approach, using terms like "adjustments" to describe a range of responses, might have been more useful. The rigid separation of climate responses has limited the impact of many initiatives. Experts now emphasize the need to integrate climate actions into local policies and take a more systemic approach that views climate change as part of broader environmental and social changes. This shift could help address the complex, evolving challenges posed by climate change more effectively.