Here, we highlight the relevance of two environment-sensitive molecular elements: transposable elements (TEs) and epigenetic components (ECs). We first outline the sensitivity of these elements to global change stressors and review how they interact with each other. We then propose an integrative molecular engine coupling TEs with ECs and allowing organisms to fine-tune phenotypes in a real-time fashion. This produces adapted heritable phenotypes with different levels of transmission fidelity, eventually accelerating the production of genetic variation thus enabling the rapid genetic engraving of initially plastic responses. We finally discuss the implications of this molecular engine in the context of global change.