Climate Adaptation Is Having a Moment—But Are We Ready?

In episode 251 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons speaks with Jamil Wyne, founder of Hazelwood Network, to explore whether climate adaptation is finally moving into the mainstream—or if we're seeing familiar signals that never quite add up. From growing attention in finance, consulting, and platforms like LinkedIn to real-world action in places like Singapore and across emerging markets, adaptation is gaining traction. But that momentum remains fragmented—spread across investors, governments, and innovators without clear coordination. At the same time, a major bottleneck persists: we still don't know how to clearly communicate adaptation, often relying on abstract climate metrics that fail to resonate. Drawing on his work across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, Wyne highlights how adaptation is already happening on the ground—often ahead of the U.S.—while the private sector cautiously begins to engage. The conversation also touches on the role of AI as both a tool and a source of new complexity. Ultimately, this episode asks a central question: if adaptation is having a moment, are we actually ready to capitalize on it?

Transcript of episode here.

Links in this episode:

Founder: Hazelwood Network

Lead author: The Climate Tech Opportunity (Oxford Saïd School of Business)

LinkedIn Learning Instructor: Climate Technology for Business Resilience and Adaptation

Articles: Forbes, SSIR, TechCrunch, WEF, World Bank, CSIS

Key Themes Covered in This Episode:

• Is adaptation really having a moment—or just more noise?
• A fragmented field that still isn't coming together
• Why we still don't know how to talk about adaptation
• What adaptation looks like on the ground in emerging markets
• New voices and leaders shaping the space
• Are we actually ready for this moment?

For Educators & Students

• Explore how climate adaptation is evolving across regions and sectors
• Examine the gap between adaptation in theory and on-the-ground reality
• Understand why adaptation is difficult to communicate effectively
• Analyze how emerging markets are shaping adaptation practice
• Discuss the role of new leaders entering the adaptation space
• Consider what it would take for adaptation to truly become mainstream

Who Should Listen to This Episode

• Climate adaptation and resilience professionals
• Policymakers and public sector leaders
• Researchers and students studying climate or sustainability
• Private sector professionals exploring climate risk
• Funders, investors, and philanthropies in climate
• Anyone trying to understand where adaptation is headed

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