Climate Adaptation Needs to be Transformative and Collective Action, Study Says

A review of behavioural adaptation studies on climate change shows that too much focus is placed on individual effort rather than collective action to address the challenges of climate change.

ScienceDaily features this Ohio State University study. It says that policymakers think too little when adapting to the effects of climate change.

The study finds that most studies have emphasized individual coping, which is reduced to single households managing their own risk regarding climate change hazards. Instead of individual efforts, collective action on a grander scale is needed.

Addressing climate adaptation demands systems-level thinking and transformational change.  Holistic thinking pushes society to act together rather than as individuals.

The researchers contend that: “What is needed is systems-level thinking about what is truly adaptive for society, and research on the dynamics that lead people to change entire systems through transformational actions and on barriers that keep people from embracing transformative efforts.”

Roby Wilson, the lead author of the paper, says transformational change is the key to making society climate-resilient in the face of increasing climate change threats.

Wilson gave one example of addressing sea-level rise. He said that instead of municipalities building flood walls, moving people and valuables to higher ground, and leaving the problem to insurance to deal with, decision-makers could look at the big picture and clarify where coastal communities should live.