Resilience Science Must-Knows

This fact sheet outlines nine 'Must-Knows' of resilience science intended for decision-makers and policy implementers to promote systemic resilience. It defines resilience as the ability to live and thrive amidst change and uncertainty through coping, adaptation, and transformation, emphasizing that human prosperity depends on the stability of the Earth system.

• Resilience is defined as more than recovering from a disturbance to return to a previous state; it is the ability to thrive amidst uncertainty and change, requiring the capacities to cope, adapt, and transform. This perspective recognizes the interrelation between humans and nature, asserting that a just and equitable world is only possible within planetary boundaries.
• The document presents nine essential principles for decision-makers to build science-based systemic resilience: 1) it is essential for accelerating risks; 2) it requires a balance between coping, adapting, and transforming; 3) current investments reduce future costs; 4) it is a cycle of learning and innovation; 5) diversity is a cornerstone for persistence and innovation; 6) relationships between people and nature strengthen resource and knowledge flows; 7) managing trade-offs across scales and generations prevents unforeseen harm; 8) agency is key to activating resilience; and 9) addressing power imbalances and historical injustices is necessary to avoid reinforcing vulnerability.
• The 'Resilience Science Must-Knows' were developed through a collective global research effort involving expert surveys, international editorial direction, literature reviews, and consultations with decision-makers. The project is a collaboration between the Stockholm Resilience Centre, the Global Resilience Partnership, and Future Earth.

APA

Global Resilience Partnership (n.d.). Resilience Science Must-Knows. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rsmk_2pager_es.pdf

Chicago

Global Resilience Partnership. Resilience Science Must-Knows. n.d. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rsmk_2pager_es.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Resilience Partnership |title=Resilience Science Must-Knows |url=https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rsmk_2pager_es.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalresiliencepartnershipndresilience, author = {{Global Resilience Partnership}}, title = {{Resilience Science Must-Knows}}, institution = {Global Resilience Partnership}, url = {https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rsmk_2pager_es.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }