Adaptation vs Resilience

Play your part in the great semantic battle of our time

Email*

1.Choose your 'faction' (which sector(s) do you belong to?)*

Finance (VC, PE, Bank, Insurance, Asset Management, Philanthropy, etc)

Tech (Climate Intelligence, Climate Modeling, Tech-enabled Hardware, etc)

Policy (Government, NGO, Academia, etc)

2.Do you think "adaptation" and "resilience" mean the same thing?*

Yes, they're basically interchangeable

No, they are distinct

I'm not sure

3.When you hear the term "climate adaptation", which of the following comes top of mind? (Choose up to three)*

Managing unavoidable climate impacts

Building infrastructure to withstand extreme weather

Adjusting systems (e.g. agriculture, health, water) to changing climate conditions

Helping communities cope with climate-related risks

Future-proofing existing investments

Enhancing climate models and early-warning systems

Actions that build climate resilience

Something else (please specify)

4.If "Something else", please explain what comes top of mind when you hear "climate adaptation"?

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5.When you hear the term "climate resilience", which of the following comes top of mind? (Choose up to three)*

Bouncing back after climate shocks

Equipping vulnerable communities with resources to counter climate impacts

Building flexibility and redundancy into systems

Capacity to adjust to climate-related changes, developments, or uncertainties.

The end-result of one or more successful adaptation actions

Something else (please specify)

6.If "Something else", please explain what comes top of mind when you hear "climate resilience"?

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7.How do you think finance professionals perceive the term “climate adaptation” versus “resilience”? (Multiple choice)*

Adaptation sounds more opportunity-focused

Resilience sounds more theoretical and academic

Resilience is more long-term and strategic

Adaptation is more actionable

They're used interchangeably

Other / Not sure

8.If "Other / Not sure", explain how you think finance professionals perceive the term "climate adaptation" versus "resilience"

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9.How about the technology & innovation sectors? (Multiple choice)*

Resilience feels more policy or NGO-driven

Adaptation is more appealing for tech marketing and product framing

Resilience aligns more with systems change

They're used interchangeably

Other / Not sure

10.If "Other / Not sure", explain how you think the technology & innovation sectors perceive the term "climate adaptation" versus "resilience"?

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11.And in public policy contexts? (Multiple choice)*

Resilience is more palatable to politicians & voters

Adaptation is associated with planning and budgeting

Resilience is about consulting, processes, & frameworks

They’re used interchangeably

Other / Not sure

12.If "Other / Not sure", explain how you think the public policy sector perceives the term "climate adaptation" versus "resilience"?

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13.What’s one example (headline, phrase, initiative, product) where you found the use of “adaptation” or “resilience” particularly clear or confusing?

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