Podcast episode: Future-proofing the UK: adapting to a changing climate

Overview

The latest episode from the King’s College London School of Global Affairs podcast series, WORLD: we got this, explores what it really means to “future-proof” the UK in the face of climate change.

Host Esau Williams is joined by three members of the MACC Hub: Dr Helen Adams, Dr Giovanna Gini (King’s College London) and Chris Pollard (Climate Outreach) — who bring complementary perspectives. Together, they explore how climate change affects daily life, why some people face greater risks than others, and what meaningful, fair adaptation looks like in practice.

Rather than treating climate change as a distant or abstract issue, the discussion focuses on how its impacts are already being felt across the UK — from heatwaves and transport disruption to pressures on housing, health and local services.

What does “future-proofing” mean?

A key message from the episode is that adaptation is not about giving up on mitigation or net zero. Instead, it is about building a society that works with the climate conditions we now face.

The conversation highlights that:

• Climate impacts are uneven, with some communities far more vulnerable than others
• Adaptation is as much a social challenge as a technical one
• Effective responses must be grounded in people’s everyday experiences and priorities

From redesigning urban spaces to better manage heat and water, to strengthening community resilience, the episode shows that adaptation is already happening — but often in uneven and fragmented ways.

Communication and fairness

A central theme is the importance of fairness and public engagement. Adaptation efforts are most effective when they are developed with communities rather than imposed on them.

Communicating climate change in ways that connect with people’s lived experiences (such as health, home and family) is key to building trust and encouraging action.

Why this matters for the MACC Hub

This episode showcases the expertise within the MACC Hub and its focus on identifying and sharing “what works” in climate adaptation across the UK.

It reinforces the need for:

• Evidence-based, practical adaptation strategies
• Cross-sector collaboration
• A focus on equity and inclusion in climate resilience

Ultimately, future-proofing is not a single policy goal, but an ongoing process of adapting our homes, infrastructure and communities to ensure they remain liveable, resilient and fair.

Listen to the full episode

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