Social Capital, Adaptation, and Climate Change Arun Agrawal Nicolas Perrin

Why focus on social Capital Plans vs. Surprises: to build resilience in the face of climate surprises. Drawing from basic ecological theory social capital boosts autonomous and flexible adaptive responses Attention to multiple actors increases system functional diversity Actions by multiple actors increases system response diversity How do you build capacity to deal with surprises?

Why focus on social capital? Hard vs. Soft: Social capital critical to soft adaptation responses typically less costly, more comprehensive; requires local buy-in

Forms of social capital and their role in development --Ties and networks (Bonding/Bridging) --Institutions and Organizations (Inclusive/Exclusionary)

Forms of social capital and their role in development Ties and networks (Bonding/Bridging)

Forms of social capital and their role in development Institutions and Organizations (Inclusive/Exclusionary)

Forms of Adaptation Social Capital Relevant to facilitating generating Planned Autonomous Anticipatory Development of new technologies Agricultural/ occupational diversification Reactive Disaster relief Post-disaster migration

Forms of autonomous adaptation Different risks correlate with different forms of autonomous adaptation Risks across space Risks over time Risks across asset classes Risks across households Mobility Storage Diversification Communal Pooling Market Exchange

Spatial Distribution: Local vs Dispersed Forms of social capital and their role in development Spatial Distribution: Local vs Dispersed

Impact of different combinations of social capital on ability to adapt Types of Risks/Adaptation Types of Social Capital Mobility Storage/ Pooling/ Diversification Market Exchange Dispersed ties, inclusive instns. High Medium Dispersed ties, exclusionary instns. Low Local ties, inclusive instns. Local ties, exclusionary instns.

Two examples Rural-urban migrants Small farmers threatened by climate change

Conclusion: Social Capital, Adaptation, and Adaptive Policies Interactive decision-making and learning In-built adjustment mechanisms Autonomous responses Encourage self-organization and networks Include review mechanisms Promote diversity rather than consistency