Adaptive Capacity

Adaptive Capacity refers to the ability of individuals, groups, or societies to adjust to changes, challenges, or stressors in their environment. It involves developing resilience, reorganizing resources, and creating innovative solutions to cope with disruptions such as climate change, economic instability, or social upheaval. Sociologists study adaptive capacity to understand how structural factors, cultural norms, and social networks influence a community’s readiness to respond to crises. High adaptive capacity is often linked to stronger social cohesion, institutional support, and access to resources. This concept is essential in fields like environmental sociology, disaster management, and urban planning to ensure equitable and sustainable responses to global and local challenges.