Blog Nine heads up from science to decision-makers for managing global crises
For the first time, researchers have compiled decades of resilience science research into "Nine Things Every Decision Maker Should Know About Resilience." But what is resilience, and why should decision-makers be interested in learning from this report?
The term "resilience" is widely used today in personal and socio-ecological contexts. Although it has been studied by scientists for decades, for a non-scientist like me, it is still a concept that I need to think about for a moment before it lands in my head in real life. So, let's look at some examples of what resilience is.
- Coastal communities that establish voluntary closures, no-fishing zones, or economic alternatives (such as ecotourism) to allow marine resources to recover.
- Local populations that reforest watersheds, restore eroded soils, and protect water sources after fires or deforestation.
- Municipalities that transform flood-prone areas into green parks and use green roofs or rain gardens to reduce the impact of storms.
- Villages reviving ancestral water management practices, agricultural terraces, and native seed conservation to address drought and malnutrition challenges.
- Schools that create agroecological gardens or urban biological corridors strengthen local biodiversity and support animals affected by habitat loss.
All of these examples are real and require support from decision-makers at different levels, according to the context. This is where, as the new report Resilience Science Must-Knows states, “Agency is key to activating core resilience capacities. Supporting and developing agency means enabling people and institutions to take intentional and grounded action—whether in anticipation of, or in response to, adversity” (p. 22).
This Landmark report provides decision-makers with a guide for navigating an increasingly uncertain world. It has compiled decades of resilience science research into nine critical Must-Knows, refined through dialogue with decision-makers.
With contributions from over 120 experts and 162 decision-makers across 134 organizations, the report bridges science, policy, and practice and defines how nature, societies, and economies can thrive within planetary boundaries.
“Resilience Science Must-Knows: Nine Things Every Decision-Maker Should Know About Resilience” was developed by Stockholm Resilience Centre, Future Earth, Global Resilience Partnership, and partners from around the world. Christophe Béné, Principal Scientist and Senior Policy Advisor at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, was part of the editorial board that wrote the report. He also coordinated Chapter 8, "Empowering Agency Unlocks Resilience."
The Nine Must-Knows are:
- Navigate accelerating risk: Resilience offers pathways toward more just and sustainable futures for people and the planet.
- Cope, adapt, and transform: Resilience is more than just bouncing back from shocks.
- Invest today – benefit tomorrow: Resilience protects and strengthens the foundations that support long-term human well-being and prosperity.
- Cultivate continuous learning and innovation: Resilience is a cycle that demands continuous experimentation, learning, and innovation.
- Foster diversity in all its forms: Diversity is both a source of persistence, providing multiple options, and a source of adaptation, and transformation.
- Nurture relationships: Resilience grows through relationships and these connections strengthen the flow of resources, knowledge, trust, and care.
- Govern and negotiate trade-offs: Addressing trade-offs is vital to avoid unintended harms, prevent conflict, and build just, lasting resilience.
- Empower agency: Supporting and developing agency means enabling people and institutions to take intentional and grounded action.
- Address power imbalances: Failing to address social inequalities, power imbalances, and historical injustices risk reinforcing the very systems that cause vulnerability.
