Mitigation

Definition

To lessen in force or intensity, to be distinguished from the term "prevention."

Purpose

Mitigation involves implementing measures to reduce the severity, impact, or likelihood of an adverse event. It is used in various fields, including disaster management, environmental protection, and legal contexts, to minimize damage and negative outcomes.

Examples of Use

• Disaster management: Building levees and flood barriers to mitigate the impact of flooding.
• Environmental protection: Implementing emission control measures to mitigate air pollution.
• Legal contexts: Taking corrective actions to mitigate damages or losses in a breach of contract case.

Related Terms

• Prevention: Actions taken to stop an adverse event from occurring altogether.
• Risk Management: The process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to minimize their impact.
• Remediation: The act of correcting or improving a situation, often used interchangeably with mitigation.

Notes

• Mitigation strategies should be tailored to the specific risks and conditions of the situation.
• Effective mitigation requires careful planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• In legal contexts, parties may be required to take reasonable steps to mitigate damages to limit their losses.