Is it time to focus more on climate adaptation?

Published Apr 7, 2025, 4:00 PM

With countries scaling back on climate action, should the world start preparing for harsher climate impact?

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Given the geopolitical headwinds on climate action, should countries start focusing on climate adaptation? There are two key prongs of climate action – mitigation are efforts to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, while adaptation involves preparation for climate impacts. 

Mitigation has long been a key focus of climate action globally. But with the United States, one of the world’s largest emitters, backing out of the Paris Agreement, and many other countries and companies scaling back on climate action, should the world start to prioritise climate adaptation? 

Join Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty as they discuss this question in this episode. 

Have a listen and let us know your thoughts!

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:39 What is climate adaptation?

4:03 What climate impacts does Asia have to prepare for? 

7:40 What are some examples of climate adaptation?

11:03 What is hindering progress on adaptation?

14:03 What are the challenges to scaling adaptation finance? 

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W

Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy

Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu

Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#greenpulse