Recap of breakout-session Home - a place of belonging in times of climate change

Setting the stage: Diamonds in the Delta

On November 28 we gathered for an afternoon session on Home - a place of belonging in times of climate change. The programme started with an introduction on Diamonds in the Delta documentary, featuring the struggles of residents living in Delta areas and facing increased flooding or disappearing agricultural land due to sea level rise. Janwillem Liebrand explained that oftentimes these problems are met/fought with a technocratic approach, that does not take into account the needs of people living in such areas.

The role of home and place attachment in a changing world

Bishawjit Mallick started by sharing memories of the place where he grew up in Bangladesh and his attachment to his current homes. He highlighted the universal need of having a home - a physical structure, a place with memories and connections, a sense of belonging - and explained the various ways of being attached to a place. And although areas face threats due to climate change, people tend to stay. Place dependence through generations plays a key role in being at home despite environmental risks. Climate crisis is deepening existing inequalities: not all homes are equally vulnerable, nor are all people equally empowered to respond.

So what does `home’ mean to us?

In the second part of the session the audience split into smaller groups to discuss questions such as: How are you attached to the place where you live? People mentioned the importance of social networks (friends, family and community), memories and experiences in a place and  culture, identity & belonging. However, there is also the role of childhood vs. adulthood or voluntary vs. forced’/nudged. Many people do not have a home or home is not a safe space.

When discussing the question What would you do if your home was under threat of floods?  Many people shared that they would likely stay. Not only because it is difficult or even impossible to find a new place or livelihood, but also due to existing social connections. Some threats are slow, which leads to an increasing level of acceptance of the consequences of climate change.

Finally thinking about Who has the responsibility for dealing with the consequences of climate change? people discussed responsibilities at various levels: personal, institutional, community and political. The cause of climate change and environmental problems and the responsibility for creating these problems is already contested. Therefore it is challenging to make clear who is responsible for dealing with the consequences of climate change. Governments, companies and industry need to step up, but on a global scale rich countries causing climate change need to pay poorer countries to deal with climate change.

During the afternoon we discussed many aspects of the notion of belonging, identity and place attachment. Bishawjit finished his presentation with a call to action:

Home is not just a shelter - it is where generations come together to learn, adapt, and belong. Let us transform our homes into places that not only withstand the challenges of climate change but also inspire the creativity and unity needed to overcome them.

The session was organized by the communities Water, Climate and Future Deltas and Critical Pathways. The organizing team: Bishawjit Mallick, Janwillem Liebrand, Timothy Stacey, Flora Roberts, Tom Gerritsen and Geertje Speelman.