The Four “R’s”
In 2018 Professor Jem Bendell explained the mainstream research and policy community on adaptation to climate change is based on the assumption that our current society can continue, rather than collapse. He wrote of “deep” adaptation to distinguish conversations based on acceptance of the likelihood or inevitability of near term societal collapse due to climate change.
Deep Adaptation offers four questions to help guide our inquiry into what kind of adaptation may be appropriate for our lives:
- Resilience: what do we most value that we want to keep, and how?
- Relinquishment: what do we need to let go of so as not to make matters worse?
- Restoration: what could we bring back to help us with these difficult times?
- Reconciliation: with what and whom shall we make peace as we awaken to our mutual mortality?
With these ideas – and with the values of compassion, curiosity, and respect – we are embarking on a collaborative journey of understanding.
We have learned that the best way to cope with the realization of collapse, and the difficult emotions it brings up, is to connect with other people. It is a great comfort simply to know you are not alone in your awareness, and that there are other people who have wisdom and experience to share.
As a further starting point, we recommend Jem Bendell’s blog post The Love in Deep Adaption.1
Voices of Immersion Film
Faced with the climate catastrophe and innumerable crises on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels, the humanity has crossed the threshold beyond which the global societal collapse is very likely, if not already going on. Acknowledging this predicament a group of activists, artists, thinkers, and practitioners gathered at the international Immersion in Russia, days before the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. Out of civilization, in the Northern village of Bereznik, they tried to face the challenges of today, and leaving behind illusive hope, to find ways to adapt to the new reality.
- Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYnPWX5FLw4
Connections to dharma
In the openness to not-knowing and commitment to practice with a sense of no attachment to hope or result, deep adaptation has some resonances with Dharma.