According to the definitions provided, which term signifies the ability of a system to adjust to climate change?

The term that signifies the ability of a system to adjust to climate change is adaptive capacity. It refers specifically to the potential or ability of a system, community, or organism to adjust to changes in their environment, especially in response to climate variability and extremes. This includes alterations in behavior, building resilience, and modifying practices to better withstand the impacts of climate change.

Adaptive capacity encompasses factors such as biodiversity, resources, technology, infrastructure, and governance, which enhance an entity's ability to respond effectively to changing conditions. Essentially, it implies that a system has the tools and flexibility required to not only survive but also to thrive despite new challenges posed by climate change.

In contrast, while terms like adaptive response relate to the specific actions taken in response to change, and mitigative response and capacity focus on efforts to reduce the severity of climate effects, they do not capture the broad and inherent ability to adjust that adaptive capacity conveys. Thus, the distinction lies in adaptive capacity being a measure of resilience and flexibility in the face of ongoing and future climate changes.