Agnostic Adaptation

• Author: Katrina Fischer Kuh
• Pages: 167-179

167

Chapter 8

Agnostic Adaptation

Katr in a Fische r Kuh

Adaptation planning and impleme ntation at all level s of governance are

contingent on socie tal values, objective s, and risk perceptions (hi gh con-

dence). Re cognition of diverse interests, circum stances, socia l-cultural

contexts, a nd expectations can bene t decision-making process es. Indig-

enous, local, and traditional knowled ge s ystems and practices, including

indigenous peoples’ holistic view of community and environment, are a major

resource for adapti ng to climate change, but these have not been used con-

sistently in existing adaptat ion eort s. Integrating such forms of knowledge

with existi ng practices increa ses the eectiveness of adaptation.

Decision support is m ost ee ctive w hen it is sensitive to conte xt and

the diversity of decision t ypes, decision processes, and constituencies

(robust evid ence, high agree ment). Organizations bridging scienc e a nd

decision making, including cl imate servic es, play an importa nt role in the

communicat ion, transfer, and development of cli mate-related knowledge,

including translation, engagement, and k nowledge excha nge (medium evi-

dence, high ag reement).

—I   P  C  C, C 

C 2014: I, A ,  V  26 (2014).

Public beliefs about climate change in the United States remain polar-

ized, and public debate about climate change is marked by notable vitriol.

Although the majority of Americans now think that climate change is occur-

ring, nearly one in ve Americans do not believe that climate change is hap-

pening.1 irteen percent of Americans are characterized as “doubtful” with

respect to climate change, meaning that t hey are “uncerta in whether global

warming is occurring or not, but believe that if it is happening, it is attribut-

able to natural causes, not human activities,” and another 13% of Americans

are characterized as “ dismissive” with respect to climate change, meaning

that they are “certain that global warming is not happening and are likely to

1. Y P  C C C, C C   A M

5 (March 2015) (reporting the results of national surveys).