A habitability lens to boost effective local climate adaptation

A. K. Magnan; V. K.E. Duvat; J. Bell; S. D. Donner; J. D. Ford; P. D. Nunn; C. Perry; T. Spencer; C. C.C. Wabnitz; I. White; J. Butler; A. McCarthy; A. Webb

doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2026.104323

A habitability lens to boost effective local climate adaptation

A. K. Magnan^*, V. K.E. Duvat, J. Bell, S. D. Donner, J. D. Ford, P. D. Nunn, C. Perry, T. Spencer, C. C.C. Wabnitz, I. White, J. Butler, A. McCarthy, A. Webb

^*Corresponding author for this work

Fenner School of Environment & Society

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Climate adaptation is what we (will) make of it, that is, either a burden or an opportunity for a brighter and equitable future. Achieving effective adaptation requires shifting from a risk-centric perspective focusing on the threats, to a more inclusive and engaging approach that envisions sustainable futures. This Perspective draws on our decades of research experience to argue that the “habitability” lens can catalyse this shift, and proposes a research framework.

Original language	English
Article number	104323
Number of pages	7
Journal	Environmental Science and Policy
Volume	176
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2026.104323
Publication status	Published - Feb 2026

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title = "A habitability lens to boost effective local climate adaptation",

abstract = "Climate adaptation is what we (will) make of it, that is, either a burden or an opportunity for a brighter and equitable future. Achieving effective adaptation requires shifting from a risk-centric perspective focusing on the threats, to a more inclusive and engaging approach that envisions sustainable futures. This Perspective draws on our decades of research experience to argue that the “habitability” lens can catalyse this shift, and proposes a research framework.",

keywords = "Adaptation pathways, Climate adaptation, Effectiveness, Habitability, Research agenda",

author = "Magnan, \{A. K.\} and Duvat, \{V. K.E.\} and J. Bell and Donner, \{S. D.\} and Ford, \{J. D.\} and Nunn, \{P. D.\} and C. Perry and T. Spencer and Wabnitz, \{C. C.C.\} and I. White and J. Butler and A. McCarthy and A. Webb",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2026 The Authors",

year = "2026",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1016/j.envsci.2026.104323",

language = "English",

volume = "176",

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AU - Magnan, A. K.

AU - Duvat, V. K.E.

AU - Bell, J.

AU - Donner, S. D.

AU - Ford, J. D.

AU - Nunn, P. D.

AU - Perry, C.

AU - Spencer, T.

AU - Wabnitz, C. C.C.

AU - White, I.

AU - Butler, J.

AU - McCarthy, A.

AU - Webb, A.

PY - 2026/2

Y1 - 2026/2

N2 - Climate adaptation is what we (will) make of it, that is, either a burden or an opportunity for a brighter and equitable future. Achieving effective adaptation requires shifting from a risk-centric perspective focusing on the threats, to a more inclusive and engaging approach that envisions sustainable futures. This Perspective draws on our decades of research experience to argue that the “habitability” lens can catalyse this shift, and proposes a research framework.

AB - Climate adaptation is what we (will) make of it, that is, either a burden or an opportunity for a brighter and equitable future. Achieving effective adaptation requires shifting from a risk-centric perspective focusing on the threats, to a more inclusive and engaging approach that envisions sustainable futures. This Perspective draws on our decades of research experience to argue that the “habitability” lens can catalyse this shift, and proposes a research framework.

KW - Adaptation pathways

KW - Climate adaptation

KW - Effectiveness

KW - Habitability

KW - Research agenda

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105027793477

U2 - 10.1016/j.envsci.2026.104323

DO - 10.1016/j.envsci.2026.104323

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105027793477

SN - 1462-9011

VL - 176

JO - Environmental Science and Policy

JF - Environmental Science and Policy

M1 - 104323

ER -

A habitability lens to boost effective local climate adaptation

Abstract

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