11 general introduction invented new practices and languages by migrating to different areas (Degroot et al., 2021). As another example, during the Black Death in Europe in the 14th century, the surviving population experienced significant social and economic beneficial changes that ultimately led to the end of the feudal system and the rise of the middle class (Herlihy, 1997). Additionally, medical advances were made during this time, such as the development of quarantine measures and the use of herbal remedies (Benedictow, 2004); such developments provided better awareness about preventive measures, valuable knowledge regarding disease prevention and treatment and a reduction in health risks. Thus, it seems that individuals and communities have been capable of adapting to large-scale crises in the past by doing more than ‘bouncing back’, namely doing more than merely maintaining and recovering what they had (cf. Bonanno et al., 2011; cf. Fletcher & Sarkar, 2013; cf. Galli & Vealey, 2008). Remarkably, they have been able to change for the better, by exploiting new opportunities and shifting to new, better ways of life. We propose that humans can adapt also to contemporary large-scale adversities through positive change. Adapting to climate change, for instance, may help people to develop new skills, deepen their relationships with one another, and work together to build a more sustainable future (see IPCC, 2014a; 2023). As an example, citizens who implement green infrastructure solutions, such as rain gardens and green roofs, not only reduce their vulnerability to climate change, but may also seize opportunities for community engagement and for education on the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship (Kim & Song, 2019; Parker & de Baro, 2019). In a similar way, pandemics, such as COVID-19, may help people gain more awareness about health and prevention, as well as introduce better daily habits and develop innovative ways to carry on their normal activities. For instance, when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have started to prioritise their physical and mental health by incorporating healthy habits (e.g., regular exercise, meditation) into their daily routines (Ogueji, 2022). Additionally, people report several beneficial opportunities associated with working from home (which became much more common during the pandemic), such as reduced commuting time and its associated costs, increased flexibility, and even boosted productivity (Charalampous et al., 2018; Ipsen et al., 2021). As such, recognising the possibility for positive change is key to understand how humans can adapt to contemporary adversities. Interestingly, most research studies on adaptation to contemporary adversities, like climate change, do not seem to recognise the possibility of new opportunities and positive change resulting from dealing with such adversities. This is remarkable, considering that positive change and new opportunities deriving from the confrontation with an adversity have received wide recognition in the domains of trauma and chronic 1
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