Resilience
“In the shadow of unpredictable climate change, ecological collapse, and economic uncertainty, building resilient communities has become more important than ever.”
Lesley Gillett
Resilience
Deep Adaptation is a resource that helps individuals and communities understand the disruptive changes unfolding within Earth’s systems – and the existential risks these changes create.
Resilience, or adaptive capacity, is a highly complex subject. Here, we aim to make it more accessible and meaningful through three complementary elements:
- Dialogue: Deepening our understanding of the threats ahead, while offering support for the difficult conversations they demand.
- Assessment: A set of 100 questions rooted in everyday life, designed to help evaluate the current resilience of a household.
- Action: A progressive action plan that supports the strengthening of both personal and community resilience.
An attainable goal
Vision
To enable as many families, households, and communities as possible to function in a more sustainable and resilient way – even as the systems that shape our lives (climate, nature, society, economy) move through processes of breakdown.
Mission
To provide the knowledge and support people need to engage in honest, meaningful conversations about the future ahead – and to do everything they can to reduce the harmful impacts on their lives to the lowest possible level.
In three steps
Dialogue
Providing background knowledge for meaningful conversations with family, friends, and colleagues – about how we ended up here, why acknowledging the gravity of our situation is so difficult and time-consuming, and what it means for our personal lives if the most severe scenarios unfold.
Assessment
A 100-question survey measuring your household’s current level of resilience across 12 areas of life. The results not only reveal your present situation, but also offer clear reference points for strengthening resilience through the Action phase.
Action
A 10-step action plan to build personal and community resilience – from improving the outcomes identified in the Assessment to developing networks with like-minded communities.
Important notice
The possibility of systemic collapse is a highly complex and contested topic. As structured, well-researched material on this subject remains limited the following collection aims to introduce readers to the key concepts and ideas shaping our understanding of collapse as a process.
Engaging deeply with this material may, at times, affect emotional wellbeing. Anxiety and depression are common responses when exploring the possibility of collapse. It is important to maintain perspective – both on the subject and on ourselves. If you notice signs of depression in yourself or others that feel difficult to manage, please seek support from a qualified professional.
“Those who live in the greatest harmony are those who value one another and their relationships most deeply. Those who live active, fulfilled lives remain continually inspired by what life has to offer.”
Andrew Matthews