When politicians and urban planners discuss climate adaptation, their focus tends to be on the physical aspects such as infrastructure and economics. Questions like how to prevent flooding, restore shorelines, or fireproof homes often dominate the conversation. However, folklorist Maida Owens argues that this perspective overlooks a crucial element. For the diverse Cajun and Creole fishing communities in Louisiana’s islands and bayous, climate disasters have the potential to unravel their cultural identity. Owens, who works with Louisiana’s state folklife program, emphasizes that community resilience involves more than just protecting physical properties.
With radical environmental changes already underway – such as Louisiana’s disappearing coast, the increasing arid conditions in the Southwest, and the transformative shift away from coal in Appalachia – the impact is not only on infrastructure but also on the cultural rituals and traditions that shape people’s daily lives. The study of folklore may seem niche, focused on outdated superstitions or traditional practices, but it plays a vital role in documenting and preserving the everyday culture of ordinary people.
Folklorists like Owens and Emily Hilliard work to help communities adapt to a changing world by studying how traditions evolve in times of crisis. The goal is to ensure that cultural knowledge is passed down through generations, even as climate change reshapes the landscape. Hilliard has highlighted the concept of “visionary folklore,” which seeks to sustain culture amidst tremendous change to ensure that traditions continue into the future.
In communities like those in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, deeply rooted in the coal industry, folklore offers a means of preserving traditions threatened by climate effects. As climate disasters break up communities and threaten the continuity of shared traditions, folklorists like Hilliard collaborate with residents to help preserve their cultural heritage.
Further west, in Arizona, folklorist Kimi Eisele is examining how climate change impacts Indigenous traditions, particularly in the face of extreme environmental conditions such as soaring temperatures and groundwater depletion. As historical practices evolve to address the changing climate, Eisele works with communities to document and adapt traditional knowledge to create a more sustainable future. Indigenous communities like the Tohono O’odham are finding ways to sustain traditions even as the environment changes, offering valuable lessons for adapting to a warming world.
Through their work, folklorists across the country are demonstrating the significance of cultural resilience in the face of climate change. By documenting and adapting traditional practices, these experts are helping communities navigate uncertain times while preserving their rich cultural heritage for generations to come.
