‘Collective consciousness’ and urban informal action groups towards climate resilience

Abstract

The theory of ‘collective consciousness’, originally introduced by Emile Durkheim, emphasizes the shared beliefs, values, and norms that bind individuals within a society. This is particularly important in understanding how communities respond to climate-related shocks. Collective consciousness fosters a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility, which can be crucial in grassroots climate resilience efforts. In Africa's urban informal settlements, informal action groups and ad-hoc volunteers embody this concept, collectively addressing climate hazards despite their informal nature. However, there is a limited focus on their roles in urban Africa. This study thus examines their contributions to climate disaster management in two of Kumasi's informal settlements—Aboabo and Asawase—using qualitative research with four institutions, three informal action and volunteer groups, and 24 community residents in four focus group discussions. We show how collective consciousness, expressed through informal volunteers in Kumasi's informal settlements, delivers distinct absorptive and anticipatory resilience functions and suggest strong institutional pathways to integrate these grassroots capacities within formal adaptation frameworks. Findings reveal that absorptive and anticipatory interventions of these groups emerge from a deeply ingrained social cohesion, which drives community-led responses to climate hazards. However, their effectiveness is hindered by structural, logistical, and institutional barriers. By situating their role within collective consciousness, we highlight the importance of social cohesion and community-driven adaptation strategies in climate resilience. Formal recognition, strengthening coordination mechanisms, and addressing structural and other barriers could enhance their responses, reinforcing the power of collective action in building resilience.