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
A fragmented field that still isn’t coming together
Is adaptation really having a moment—or just more noise?
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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