Broadening the Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit – Lessons from Social and Behavior Change

October 18, 2018 at 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM EDT

Adaptation to climate change may require changes to behavior in both the short and long term. In the short term, changes may be relatively small, but in the long term, individuals and societies may need to make fundamental shifts, such as moving away from highly exposed locations and growing different crops, that involve large societal changes.

The uptake of adaptive practices or actions that enhance adaptation hinges on the ability and willingness of individuals to change how they do things, which is determined by an array of socio-economic, political, and cultural factors. Transformative change occurs when there is broad-based understanding of the problem and feasible options for action, in addition to incentives to implement those actions. Other disciplines, such as health and biodiversity conservation have developed social and behavior change (SBC) methodologies and approaches, designed to encourage individuals and societies to adopt different behaviors.

This panel brings together representatives from across USAID to share perspectives and lessons on how to catalyze SBC as a tool to enhance resilience to climate change.

Speakers

• Nga Kim Nguyen, Senior Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Social Behavior Change Adviser at USAID's Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition.
• Megan Hill, Environment Protection Specialist in USAID's Office of Forestry and Biodiversity.
• Veronique Lee Buehler, Program Manager for the USAID Adaptation Thought Leadership and Assessments (ATLAS) project.
• Tegan Blaine, Senior Climate Change Advisor at USAID