Understanding 'Ameliorate' in Context

In her book on environmental sustainability, Dr. Lillian Morton discusses the myriad ways in which human activities can lead to a staggering depletion of natural resources. She asserts, 'To safeguard our ecological future, we must prioritize conservation practices and endorse policies that ameliorate the adverse effects of climate change. Only through a concerted effort can we hope to counter the insidious encroachment of industrialization on pristine environments.' In this context, the word ameliorate is best understood to mean which of the following?