The Climate Crisis manifests itself in many ways, most noticeable in the Global South. As new effects emerge all over the world, there is increasing attention to moving from mitigation to adaptation. There is widespread recognition that communities, as well as societies will need to take action to become more resilient.
Enter the potentials of Positive Deviance. What can a PD mindset and a PD approach offer to help communities organize to build conditions for increasing resilience, against problems not yet fully understood, with specific actions often lacking resources or even the will to take them?
One of the chronic questions about Positive Deviance methodology and practice is whether solutions once discovered, which create better outcomes, will work as circumstances change. And more complicating, will a Positive Deviance philosophy be able to inform and guide innovations for complex adaptive problems, like those embedded in climate change?
In the northeastern U.S., on the coast of Maine, 140 small communities, some on islands, are anticipating significant sea-level rise in the next twenty to thirty years. Additionally, the water temperatures in the Gulf of Maine are rising exceedingly fast, imperiling the current lobster fishery. Ocean acidification also threatens the cultivation and harvesting of shellfish.
Coastal communities are highly dependent on the sea to maintain their livelihoods, and their independent cultures. Community leaders and ‘ordinary’ citizens feel increasingly threatened by a future they can only dimly predict, knowing they may need to take actions with which they may not agree, and may not support.
A group of Maine-based NGO’s with considerable scientific expertise and a history of trust with communities on the coast are beginning to address their roles in helping to mobilize community actions to build resilience. In addition to considering what ‘already works’ and institutions which build social capital, these groups are looking for ideas and technical assistance to create plans to build community resilience. This resilience is yet to be defined, but is intended to go beyond physical infrastructure to address rising waters and warmer temperatures. And the resilience will need to be rooted in community values, standards, and practices.
Positive Deviance, in theory and practice, in evolution, may offer value. Any comments, ideas, or suggestions would be most welcome.
For more information or to submit ideas, please email Mark Munger.