12 JUNE 2025
In this journal piece, we’re diving into the headlines – it’s pretty obvious that climate change is here, and the key question is how to respond. The idea is not just with sandbags and emergency drills, but with bold, strategic transformation.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NATURAL DISASTER!
Let’s face it: climate change isn’t a future problem. It’s here, hitting cities around the world with floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. But there’s good news! According to new research cities don’t just have to brace for impact – they can actually become stronger, smarter, and more prepared. The key? Progressive climate adaptation.
Dr. Paul O’Hare, an expert in human geography and urban development from Manchester Metropolitan University, lays out five smart strategies to help cities not just survive climate chaos – but thrive in spite of it. Here they are, simplified.
1. Don’t Just Rebuild. Rethink. When disaster hits, the instinct is to rebuild – and fast. But O’Hare says we should be thinking about how to bounce forward, not just bounce back. That means creating communities that are less vulnerable in the first place – not just slapping on patches until the next crisis. Instead of restoring the status quo, we need to reimagine urban spaces to be stronger and more adaptable for what’s coming next.
2. Know Your Risks (All of Them). Cities are tangled webs of people, infrastructure, and services – which means when one thing fails, the effects can ripple far and wide. Good adaptation plans look beyond obvious risks and ask the tough questions: Who’s most vulnerable? Where are the weak points? And it’s not just about climate factors. Ageing buildings, rapid development, and poverty all amplify climate risks. A smart city plan sees the full picture – and prepares accordingly.
3. Transform, Don’t Just Tweak. Here’s a powerful quote from O’Hare: “There is no such thing as a natural disaster.” What he means is that disaster impacts often come down to long-standing issues – like social inequality, bad housing, or neglected infrastructure. To build real resilience, we’ve got to dig deep and fix the root causes, not just clean up after the storm. It’s about creating fairer, healthier cities that can weather anything.
4. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work. Resilience isn’t a solo act. O’Hare calls for a “whole of society” approach – think local governments, residents, businesses, and scientists all working together. Why? Because the climate crisis is too big for piecemeal solutions.
Even if your neighbourhood isn’t on a floodplain, that doesn’t mean it’s off the hook. Rainwater systems, green spaces, and energy-saving buildings help everyone. The best plans are inclusive, collaborative, and built on solidarity.
5. Double (or Triple) Your Wins. Adaptation isn’t just about defence. Done right, it can solve multiple problems at once – a concept the UN calls “multiple resilience dividends. Restoring wetlands in Europe can reduce floods and trap carbon and boost wildlife. Or in Southeast Asia, solar panels on reservoirs cut emissions and preserve water during droughts. That’s what we call a win-win-win.
The Bottom Line? Yes, climate change is daunting. But it’s also an opportunity – to build cities that are not just resilient, but also more just, sustainable, and future-ready.
Adaptation isn’t just a checklist. It’s a chance to rethink how we live, work, and care for one another – starting right.
FACT SHEET
In a world increasingly shaped by climate disruptions, true resilience isn’t about returning to what once was—it’s about building forward. Confront the full spectrum of interconnected risks—social, economic, and infrastructural—and tackle the root causes of vulnerability.
CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALREADY SHAKING THINGS UP IN ECOSYSTEMS
Climate change is already shaking things up in ecosystems all over the world.
One big sign?
The seasons aren’t acting like they used to – winter might hang around too long, or spring could show up too early. And that kind of mix-up throws nature off balance.
A lot of species depend on seasonal cues to know when to do things, like migrate, bloom, or hatch.
Take bees, for example. If flowers start blooming earlier, the young bees aren’t fully developed yet, and they miss their chance to pollinate.
That’s a problem – especially since there’s not much evidence that pollinators like bees can adapt fast enough to keep up with how quickly the climate is changing.
The existential threat of climate change
The intricate relationships between climate change, the food system, and biodiversity loss place immense burdens on our planet, subjecting pollinating species to relentless stress while creating conditions that wither their natural habitats.
