Deep Adaptation

"It would be some consolation for the feebleness of our selves and our works if all things should parish as slowly as they come into being; but as it is, increases are of sluggish growth, but the way to ruin is rapid."

~Lucius Annaeus Seneca, 4 BC-65 AD

The Seneca cliff , is a mathematical model, proposed by Professor Ugo Bardi. This model is aimed to describe a class of problems in nature in which the decline is faster than growth, under the condition of some constraints.

I believe that we are approaching Seneca's cliff and that climate change is one of many problems associated with the problems of growth that are pushing us to edge of the cliff. We can no longer imagine a technical solution exists or will exist soon that will solve the problem of climate change let alone any of the several other problems of growth. It is time to consider how we will postpone the worst problems and how we will adapt to our unavoidably problematic future.

Deep Adaptation is a framework developed by Professor Jem Bendell as an individual and collective response to the difficulties associated with climate change.

Inevitable collapse, probable catastrophe and possible extinction.

Resilience – what is it that we most want to keep, why and how?

Relinquishment – what must we give up or make matters worse?

Restoration – what is it that we can bring back to reduce harm?

Reconciliation – what could I make peace with to lessen suffering?

Do's and Don'ts

    • Don’t panic
    • Don’t process this alone
    • Don’t follow a new crowd
    • Don’t blame
    • Do expect a change in priorities
    • Do join or organize groups
    • Do act locally and politically
    • Do combine mitigation, adaptation and joy

Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy. (PDF) IFLAS Occasional Paper 2; www.iflas.info; July 27th 2018; Professor Jem Bendell BA (Hons) PhD.

If it's too late, what now? (Dec 20, 2018) Professor Jem Bendell, author of Deep Adaptation, and Toni Spencer help a group in Bristol, UK come to terms with the possibility/likelihood of an impending collapse of civilization.