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Category: Climate Change

The rise of local resilience
Across society, there is growing recognition of the need to build greater resilience in how we provide for ourselves. Paul Allen explores what we mean by resilience and how it can link up many different aspects of our lives.

Across the UK and beyond, communities are facing a new era of profound and abrupt changes. To rise to this challenge, we must recognise that we have become embedded in a ‘brittle’ society. In globalising supply chains, the freemarket economy has removed the diversity, variety and natural connections that underpin communities’ ability to ‘bounce back’. Failures can quickly begin to feedback on each other, carrying the challenges beyond any government or local authority’s ability to cope, without active citizen support.

Positive resilience

Although not of their own making, these changes are compelling communities to reconsider how they move forward into the second quarter of the 21st century. Local resilience is going to be an important factor in this transition. This is typically defined in two ways:
- The speed and competence with which a household, community, town or region can prepare for and recover from shocks or dislocation.
- A measure of how well a system can flip into a totally different but still workable living system, should the original one become untenable.
Both definitions are useful – but they only view resilience as a means of dealing with negative impacts. It is also useful for us to consider a third type of resilience: Our ability to proactively and collectively prepare for challenges while also unleashing a positive force within our communities which brings us together.

For example, as we switch from importing fossil fuels to using the renewable energy assets on our doorstep, we need to be smart, flexible and collaborative. By working together, we can harness the benefits locally, as many community renewable projects have demonstrated. Of course, reclaiming the power in energy is not the only action needed to increase our resilience. Communities can multi-solve across a wide range of areas, including health, food, transport, skills, equity and local cohesion.

By working collectively to develop our physical resilience, we also build psychological resilience, both on a personal and community level. Once we are actively working to increase our resilience, we feel better about our position. Being on such a trajectory brings us into relationships with others and so builds positive pathways into a new community with a sense of collective purpose. This alone can improve our quality of life, as many projects have demonstrated.

Resilient together

When disrupted, nature reacts in complex collective ways to return to a new balance. We can learn from this to help us prepare for when human society is disrupted. We can build in resilience as a key factor in motivating local actions.

Resilience can become a new lens through which we explore our lifestyles, our community, and the choices we make to support each other in challenging times.

Building local resilience is rooted in interpersonal networks. The links within our personal communities are clearly going to be important. However, developing a wider network of affinity groups beyond our immediate social circle is also invaluable. These people will form a group we can build deeper trust with – a first port of call in times of difficulty or opportunity. In the face of increasing power cuts, floods, droughts and snowfall, community resilience makes good sense to a lot of people. It strengthens communities and has all sorts of positive co-benefits. Across Scotland, the Community Resilience Volunteer Service supports people from a wide range of different backgrounds who have the drive and commitment to put others first and support their communities.

Rethinking resilience can offer a powerful positive driver for engaging more deeply with our friends and neighbours. When people come together in common purpose, they can be a powerful force for change.

For example, Somerset Prepared is a partnership working closely with communities to help enhance local resilience to emergencies. It is made up of a diverse range of organisations able to provide advice, guidance and support to help volunteers and local community groups develop initiatives that enhance resilience in their area.

Just in Case

Resilience building is going to play an increasing role as we reshape our lives in the coming years, moving from the margins to become central in our communities. To help with this, new research on food security has just been released by the UK National Preparedness Commission. Led by regular CAT guest lecturer Professor Tim Lang, the Just in Case: narrowing the UK civil food resilience gap report makes clear that our system needs reforming. The report highlights case studies that demonstrate what needs to be scaled up, including civic awareness, local and national policies, plus horticulture markets and community food projects.

Skills for the future

Building the resilience of our communities can deliver tangible benefits, as well as being a personally creative, connecting and empowering process. CAT recognises this and offers people the opportunity to learn new skills and have hands-on experiences in a diverse mix of areas, from renewables for households and eco-refurbishment to food growing and soil regeneration. We also offer bespoke training for groups, such as Civic Square and the Ecological Citizens Network. The knowledge, skills and tools we share will enable more people and their communities to make the vital transition to a more resilient future.

About the author

Paul is CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain Knowledge and Outreach Coordinator. He has been involved with our research into zero carbon scenarios since the beginning, coordinating the development of research reports and liaising directly with government, industry, NGOs and the arts to share findings.
August 8, 2025
LPIP Innovation Lab: From Mapping the System to Designing Interventions

CAT’s Innovation Lab workshops for the Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales project are bringing together stakeholders from the Welsh Horticulture sector to explore how they can work together for a more sustainable future.

Following the first of CAT’s Innovation Lab workshops for the Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales project, which brought together stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the Welsh horticulture sector, the project team has been delving into the data and insights gathered.

These findings are now shaping the next phase of the project: the co-design of practical, testable interventions that can be trialled in real-world settings.

The team has been carrying out a systems analysis, looking at the relationships between different parts of the system to identify where there is energy to build on, and where persistent challenges may be holding things back. These insights are helping to highlight potential areas for intervention and are informing the design of the second workshop.

Working together to develop solutions

The second workshop took place on Wednesday 30 July at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Around 30 participants attended, including most of those who joined the first session, along with several new contributors. This session marks a shift into the innovation phase of the lab, where participants will use design thinking to generate and develop ideas in response to a specific prompt.

The goal is to co-create five or six core intervention ideas. These will be explored and voted on to gauge where there is the most enthusiasm and potential for impact. While no final decisions will be made at this stage, the workshop will result in a shortlist of well-developed ideas that can be taken forward for further testing.

Implementing solutions iteratively

This is not just a theoretical exercise. The project has secured £30,000 of funding to trial one or more of the interventions over a 12-month period, from autumn 2025 to autumn 2026. Innovation managers at Aberystwyth University will oversee this phase, supporting the testing and iteration of the chosen ideas on the ground.

In complex systems, it’s not always possible to predict the outcomes of an intervention in advance. That’s why this phase is focused on experimentation – trying things out, monitoring how they work, and adapting them as needed. The aim is to learn what works in practice and to use that learning to inform future action.

Before implementation, the shortlisted ideas will be reviewed by a challenge panel, which will help ensure that the funding is directed toward the intervention with the greatest potential for positive impact.

CAT’s Role

While CAT’s role in the implementation phase is still to be confirmed, the team will likely maintain an oversight role as the project progresses.

This next stage of the LPIP Innovation Lab represents a significant step forward – from understanding the system to actively designing and testing solutions. We look forward to sharing more updates as the work continues.

August 8, 2025
CAT at the Triumph of Art

As part of the National Gallery’s Bicentenary celebrations, The Triumph of Art – a nationwide project by artist Jeremy Deller – brought together institutions from across the UK to celebrate the role of art, culture, and civic life in shaping our communities. The Centre for Alternative Technology was proud to be a collaborator and exhibiting partner in this extraordinary event.

In Trafalgar Square, CAT’s presence was marked by a powerful architectural installation and a series of hands-on workshops, all rooted in sustainability, creativity, and community. The event offered a unique opportunity to showcase CAT’s ethos and the work of its students on a national stage.

“CAT were delighted to collaborate with Jeremy Deller on the Triumph of Art commission for the bicentenary of the National Gallery over the last year culminating in the day-long spectacular in Trafalgar Square.  It was inspiring to see the CAT students’ pavilion “Gorsedd”, bringing a palette of earth and Welsh slate from Llwyngwern Quarry to the city and to see the many hours of craft by the students and volunteers weaving willow come to fruition.  We also enjoyed facilitating charcoal drawing and earth building workshops and having the opportunity to talk with members of the public about CAT’s vital work providing skills for the future.” - Eileen Kinsman, Co-CEO of CAT

CAT Supporters Gathering

The day began with a morning gathering for some of CAT’s most longstanding supporters, offering a chance to connect, share updates on CAT’s work, and celebrate the occasion together. After a summary of the ‘Gorsedd’ build by students Jordan Hau and Brandon Roberts, guests were then escorted to the CAT exhibit in Trafalgar Square to explore the student build and workshops firsthand.

This special event was a moment to thank CAT’s supporters and showcase the impact of their contributions in enabling transformative educational experiences and public engagement.

“It was wonderful to see the variety of activities and people of all ages just having fun but learning at the same time from CAT’s activities. It was a highly entertaining, enriching and lively encounter with each and all CAT staff on the ground too. So encouraging to see so many young enthusiastic people too.” – CAT supporter

Procession

CAT students joined other collaborators in the Triumph of Art event for the Bacchanalian procession through Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, carrying the banner created for CAT by banner maker Ed Hall.

Sharing Skills and Inspiring Futures

Alongside the Gorsedd installation, CAT’s students and teaching staff hosted a workshop showcasing Rammed Earth as a sustainable building material and CAT’s education team facilitated a creative drawing space to imagine a sustainable future.

CAT’s education work is so impactful because we believe in the importance of seeing, developing and using practical solutions first hand. Inspiring people through hands-on work with materials or through imagining what a green future might look like is a key part of CAT’s group visits, volunteering and training.

Alongside our workshops, we were able to talk to attendees about CAT and our work sharing solutions to the climate crisis. It was a pleasure to talk with so many interested and enthusiastic people, many of whom were already aware of CAT or had visited in the past.

Rammed Earth Plinths

Inspired by the plinths of Trafalgar Square, visitors were invited to create miniature versions using rammed earth—a traditional and sustainable building technique used extensively at CAT. The activity was supported by Rescued Clay who are based in Park Royal in London, and supplied the clay used on the day.

“It was wonderful to be invited to be part of the day and supply CAT with clay for the rammed earth workshops. The clay was reclaimed from local construction sites, demonstrating how waste materials can be reimagined and reused “
Prashant Patel— Rescued Clay

Charcoal Visioning Workshop

Participants also took part in a visioning workshop, using charcoal made from willow offcuts from the Gorsedd build. The activity encouraged people of all ages to draw their visions of a positive future—one where humanity has risen to the challenges of the climate and biodiversity crises.

Simple drawing prompts and visual guides to the charcoal-making process helped make the activity accessible to all.

Gorsedd

At the heart of CAT’s contribution was  Gorsedd—a striking architectural installation designed and built by students from CAT’s ARB-accredited Part II Master’s in Sustainable Architecture. Developed during their Build module, in collaboration with Jeremy Deller, Mostyn Gallery in Llandudno, and the National Gallery.

“This has been an exciting, challenging and inspiring project to be a part of. The opportunity to get hands-on in such a supportive environment is exactly what I wanted from my Master’s at CAT.”
— Hannah Maxey, CAT student

Gorsedd (meaning “throne” in Welsh) draws on Celtic mythology, Druidic rituals, and the National Gallery’s wartime history. Constructed using Welsh timber, Somerset willow, slate from CAT’s Llwyngwern Quarry, and reclaimed plywood from ReCollective, the structure is a celebration of natural materials and collective effort. Students were supported by tutors, CAT graduates, and collaborators, including Momentum Engineering.

“We have been providing engineering support to the design of structures created during Build week for over 20 years and the Triumph of Art is one of the largest projects undertaken.”
— Richard Heath, Momentum Engineering

The build itself was a performative act, echoing traditional barn-raising techniques. The frame was raised entirely by hand in a choreographed display of teamwork and simplicity.

The Gorsedd structure and the workshops in Trafalgar Square were more than a one-day event—they were a celebration of what’s possible when we build together. The students behind the project have since formed  Studio CLAASH, a design and build collective that will carry this momentum forward.

Plans are already underway to bring Gorsedd back to CAT for an event, continuing to share a message of sustainable, community-driven change.

Visit CAT at Welsh events this summer

This summer, we will also be attending other festivals and events in Wales, sharing our work and connecting with attendees.

Come visit us 2 to 9 August at WCVA’s Voluntary Sector Hub at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham or if you attending Green Man Festival 15 to 18 August come say hello to us in Einstein’s Garden

August 1, 2025
Thinking Big and Acting Small – making waves in complex times

Can complexity science help us understand how to work together to create a fairer, more sustainable world? Author Jean Boulton, who will be speaking at the CAT Conference, explores…

Our communities are increasingly shaped by global forces – from pandemics and climate change to geopolitical conflict, discrimination and the far-reaching impacts of neo-liberal economic policies. Some of these challenges – such as the influence of the internet, the rise in extreme weather events, and the rapid spread of disease – are truly global in nature. Others, such as the impact of the war on Ukraine on wheat availability, or the impact on conflict in the Middle East on the Suez Canal, may be rooted in specific regions, yet have worldwide consequences.

These global conditions and crises also shape and compound policies of national government – in relation to growth, taxes, democracy, spending priorities; they also impact the responses of the corporate sector.

And yet for many of us, the one place we feel we can make a difference is locally, where we live, in our own communities.

Complexity Thinking in a Complex World

Jean Boulton, a regular contributor at CAT and a leading expert in complexity science, explores these questions. Complexity science emerged in the last century from the work of physicists and biologists seeking to understand how living systems – from organisms to ecosystems – emerge, stabilise, and sometimes spiral out of control. It also helps explain how systems dominated by powerful forces can lose diversity, become rigid, and face collapse.

These insights apply not only to the natural world but also to our social systems. They highlight the importance of connection, relationship, and inclusivity in building resilience. Stability, in this view, is not about control or top-down planning – it is dynamic and constantly evolving.

Exploring Food Security at CAT

Jean recently worked with a group of students at CAT to explore the issue of food security. The students first discussed the complexity worldview. Jean then introduced a method to connect the global with the local and explore the way the past shapes the present and the present shapes the future, in order to identify key factors and develop creative solutions.

Embracing Complexity in Everyday Life

So, what does it mean to embrace complexity in our daily lives?
First, we need to ask: what are the stable patterns we see around us – in culture, relationships, and ways of working? How did these patterns emerge, and how stable do they seem?

At the same time, we need to stay alert to signs of change – the “new shoots” or “cracks in the fabric” that suggest transformation or even collapse. Embracing complexity means holding paradox: recognising what is, while also sensing into what is becoming. Daoist philosophy speaks of being attuned to “the beginning of the beginning” – noticing subtle shifts and emerging possibilities.

Understanding the present – even in its interconnected, systemic nature – is not enough. We must also pay attention to the “minute particulars,” as William Blake put it. We need to notice the new, the decaying, the possible, and the unexpected.

Walking the Path Together

In her book The Dao of Complexity, Jean explores the resonance between complexity science and Daoist cosmology, which emerged in the 5th century B.C.E. in China. A central idea is that “the path is made through walking” – we co-create the future through our collective actions and intentions. There is no single right way forward. The future is shaped by what we choose and what we do.

If we want a resilient future on this deeply interconnected planet, we must act with the whole in mind – with care for each other, for future generations, and for the Earth.

In these times of polarisation, increasing inequality, escalating climate breakdown, and an economic system built on individualism, these messages have never been more relevant.

Acting at the Appropriate Scale

E.F. Schumacher didn’t want his book to be called Small is Beautiful – he preferred ‘Work at the Appropriate Scale ’. While perhaps less catchy, it is, perhaps, a more accurate reflection of the challenge we face.

We must ask:

How can we act locally while keeping the regional and global in mind?

How can we use our local power to influence upwards and build solidarity across communities?

How do we find resilience and kinship, and protect the uniqueness of our local resources in a world of growing fragility and turbulence?

These are questions we must continue to explore together.

Author

Jean Boulton is a complexity scientist, author, academic and Fellow of the Schumacher Institute. She is a guest speaker at the CAT Conference.

Annual CAT Conference

Join our annual CAT Conference for a weekend exploring and sharing the skills and knowledge needed to take action for a safer, healthier, fairer, more sustainable future. Runs 15 to 17 August

Learn more →

July 31, 2025
What good is persuasion if no one’s paying attention?

Jonathon Porritt is an eminent writer and leading campaigner for sustainable development. For over five decades, he’s provided strategic guidance to the ‘great and the good’, while remaining actively involved in green politics and many different campaigns. In this blog, he shares an excerpt from his upcoming book.

Love, Anger & Betrayal

This July, Jonathon will publish his latest book, ‘Love, Anger & Betrayal’, co-authored with 26 passionate young activists. Fiercely committed to empowering the next generation, Jonathon champions the voices and actions of young people as they confront a future shaped by the twin emergencies of climate change and biodiversity loss. ‘Love, Anger & Betrayal’ is both a clarion call for intergenerational climate justice, and a bold challenge to mainstream environmentalism, as well as a personal exploration into the stories and motivations of what some might call ‘radical’ activists.

We are thrilled to announce that Jonathon, together with one of his inspiring young co-authors, will be joining us as keynote speakers at this year’s annual CAT Conference in August. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from two generations of climate leaders at the forefront of the movement for a sustainable future. We are honoured to offer an exciting short preview of the book here.

Extract

“A word about the title of this book. Before opting for ‘Love, Anger & Betrayal’, my favourite working title was ‘For the Love of God, Pay Attention!’ – as a rather blunt way of capturing the incomprehension felt by these young campaigners as we hurtle towards a world ravaged by climate breakdown. Yet so few people really seem to care. Because of that, there’s an undeniable element of desperation in the choices they make about campaigning tactics, in a world where the old model of political engagement has gone and ‘spectacle beats argument every time’. As Chris Hayes puts it in his excellent book, The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource:

Working with young activists has forced me to confront the full extent of today’s ongoing intergenerational injustice – in effect, the whole notion of Intergenerational Justice has been turned on its head. Instead of older generations doing everything they can to ensure a better, more secure future for all those who come after them, today’s younger generation finds itself doing a lot of the heavy lifting to secure a still liveable future not just for themselves, but for their parents and grandparents.

Which is why I hope, almost against all hope, at this very late stage, that all those parents, grandparents and citizens deeply concerned about the future, will find their own way of stepping up – moving from concern to action. When Martin Luther King said that ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice’, he sure as hell didn’t mean that justice will simply arrive, so sit back and wait for the happy outcome! As he said: ‘Social progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of dedicated individuals.’

“At its simplest, I’m involved because I love life: people and everything on the planet that makes the world worth fighting for. History tells us that we just have to accept as activists that some people are going to hate us, trying to raise awareness in this way makes some people very angry. But even when they disagree, there’s still a conversation going on. Perhaps they might begin to feel some of that dread?”’- Jacob

“A lot of people are pretending the climate crisis isn’t happening, that it’s all going to be okay. I know my own involvement can make a lot of friends and family feel uncomfortable – almost as if I am the physical embodiment of all those anxieties! Some friends really don’t want to know. ‘It’s a privilege to be part of this, but it can also be incredibly onerous – doing the work every single day, whether it’s front of mind or not, I’m doing it because hundreds of millions of people will suffer in the future. It can be hard being around people who don’t understand that – and who don’t want to have to think about it.”’– Olive

Join Jonathon at the annual CAT Conference this summer, from 15 to 17 August, to dive into the subject in more detail and bring your own ideas and thoughts as a CAT member.

July 10, 2025
Investment Unlocked for CAT’s Next Chapter

We’re thrilled to share the exciting news that the first phase of investment for CAT’s transformational redevelopment project, Cynefin, has officially been approved.
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June 25, 2025
CAT stories – Nick Parsons and Mike Russell

Our unique community continues to use the knowledge, skills and networks gained at CAT to enable positive action on the climate and nature crises. This time we hear from CAT’s Eco Refurbishment course tutor Nick Parsons and recent short course attendee Mike Russell.
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January 29, 2025
Why we teach – communicating transformational social change

Next in our series looking at themes and topics explored by students on CAT Master’s degrees, Dr Cathy Cole explores the role of communication in enabling the right responses to our changing world – what it means, why it matters, and some of the main teaching methods used on our courses.
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November 13, 2024
WHY WE TEACH – ecological restoration

Next in our series looking at themes and topics explored by students on CAT Master’s degrees, Dr Jane Fisher introduces ecological restoration, a key module for students taking our MSc Sustainability and Ecology programme and also a subject relevant to those studying MSc Sustainable Food and Natural Resources and MSc Sustainability and Adaptation.
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August 11, 2024
Taking back power

Locally owned energy can provide a wide range of benefits, from reducing emissions to helping fund local initiatives. Paul Allen introduces a scheme local to CAT, Bro Dyfi Community Renewables, which shows what’s possible when communities come together to create change.
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April 9, 2024