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Mitigation

mit-uh-GAY-shun /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

formalacademictechnical

The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.

In environmental contexts, it specifically refers to actions taken to reduce the causes of climate change (e.g., reducing greenhouse gas emissions) or other environmental damage.

The story behind the word. The word 'Mitigation' comes from the Latin verb 'mitigare,' meaning 'to soften' or 'to make mild.' This Latin root itself combines 'mitis' (mild, soft) and 'agere' (to do, to drive). So, when we talk about mitigation, we're essentially talking about actions taken to 'soften' or 'make milder' the impact or severity of a problem, such as climate change.

Word relationships

Alleviation: Alleviation implies making something less severe or easier to bear, often focusing on symptoms. Mitigation can be more proactive, addressing root causes.
Reduction: Reduction is a general term for making something smaller or less. Mitigation specifically implies reducing harm or severity.

Exacerbation: The act of making a problem or situation worse.
Intensification: The act of making something stronger or more extreme.

Commonly confused with

Adaptation: Mitigation focuses on reducing the causes of climate change (e.g., cutting emissions), while adaptation focuses on adjusting to the effects that are already happening or expected (e.g., building sea walls).

Word family

Mitigate (verb): To make less severe, serious, or painful.
Mitigatory (adjective): Serving to mitigate.

Collocations

climate mitigation
risk mitigation
disaster mitigation
mitigation efforts
mitigation strategies

Example sentences

"Carbon capture technologies are being explored as a means of climate change mitigation." Discussing climate policy.
"Effective disaster mitigation strategies can significantly reduce the loss of life and property." Reporting on disaster preparedness.

Memory hook

Think 'MITI' as in 'MINIMIZE IT' – mitigation minimizes the problem. Minimize It

When not to use

Do not use it for actions that merely cope with existing problems; it implies actively lessening the source or impact of a problem.

Fun facts

In legal contexts, 'mitigating circumstances' are factors that lessen the severity of a crime or punishment.