Resilience is a concept we hear often, whether it is in personal development, nature in the context of climate change, or daring challenges like the Vendée Globe. As our skipper Boris Herrmann races towards Cape of Good Hope and prepares to enter the harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean, his resilience—physical, mental, and strategic—is key to overcoming the strains of the solo, non-stop, unassisted, round-the-world race.

This same quality, resilience, is essential not only for individuals but also for the natural world. Ecosystems across the globe are being tested like never before, facing the escalating impacts of climate change, human activities, and other stressors. Yet, nature shows an extraordinary ability to resist, adapt and recover, much like a skilled sailor adjusting to unpredictable weather conditions. 

The term resilience originates from the Latin resilire, meaning "to leap back" or "rebound," and was initially used to describe the physical ability of materials to recover their shape after deformation. Over time, it expanded into broader contexts. In the 1970s, Canadian ecologist C.S. Holling introduced the term to ecology, defining it as an ecosystem's ability to absorb disturbances while maintaining its structure and function. In psychology, resilience came to describe an individual's capacity to recover from trauma, adversity or stress, and the capacity to thrive despite challenges.

Today, the term is central to discussions on climate change, sustainability, and societal challenges. It refers to the ability of ecosystems, communities, and natural systems to absorb disturbances, adapt to changing conditions, and recover from environmental stresses such as natural disasters, climate change, pollution, or habitat destruction. Ecosystems like forests, coral reefs, or wetlands have a natural capacity to withstand and recover from storms, wildfires, or human activities. A resilient ecosystem can adapt to changes while maintaining its essential functions and services, like providing clean water, food, and air, supporting biodiversity, regulating the climate - and maintaining the overall health of our planet.

Mangrove forests are a great example of resilience in action. They can withstand rising sea levels, high salinity, and regenerate after storms, while also stabilising coastlines with their dense roots, providing shelter for many species, and storing significant amounts of carbon. Despite their resilience, these coastal ecosystems face growing challenges from climate change. Rising sea levels threaten to outpace their ability to migrate inland, whilst urbanisation simultaneously blocks their natural migration, further reducing their capacity to adapt. Protecting mangroves from deforestation and ensuring space for their inland migration is necessary and projects, such as the Malizia Mangrove Park, where two million mangroves have been restored in the Philippines, are crucial. They don’t just rebuild ecosystems - they rebuild resilience. Each mangrove planted helps preserve biodiversity and protect vulnerable coastal communities.

Often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, coral reefs also protect coastal regions and are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Covering less than 0.1% of Earth’s surface, they support around 25% of Ocean fish species by providing food and shelter. However, coral reefs are being pushed to their limits by rising sea temperatures, Ocean acidification, and increasingly frequent storms driven by climate change. In response to stress, corals expel their symbiotic algae, which provides energy and colour, leading to coral bleaching. Mass bleaching events, caused by prolonged heat, are becoming more frequent and widespread, destroying habitats for coral reef fish and other marine life.

Despite this, corals can recover from bleaching or storm damage - if stressors are reduced. Some have adapted to higher sea temperatures, while some algae species have shifted to better support these changing conditions. However, recovery is slow and hindered by human impacts like overfishing and pollution. Certain species, such as some damselfish, have shown resilience by adapting their behavior. They are finding alternative shelters or changing diets, though these changes often increase their vulnerability to predators. By protecting reefs through marine protected areas (MPA) and global efforts to limit warming, we can give coral reefs the chance to heal and thrive.

At Earth's extreme latitudes, both in the North and South, polar species also demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges posed by climate change. Polar bears rely on sea ice for hunting seals, but their habitat in the Arctic regions is rapidly melting, forcing them to spend more time on land. Some bears have shifted their diets to include terrestrial food like bird eggs or scavenging from human settlements. However, these adaptations are not enough to replace the caloric intake from their primary prey. Protecting their habitat and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are critical for their survival. In the Antarctic, emperor penguins breed on sea ice, which is also disappearing in this region, and some colonies have relocated to thicker ice or icebergs for breeding. However, the rapid pace of sea ice loss threatens their long-term survival.

Another example of resilience is shown by forests, especially in fire-prone areas, as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Many tree species, like California’s giant sequoias, have evolved to withstand fire, with thick bark that protects them from heat. Fire plays a natural role in clearing dead material, encouraging new growth, and maintaining biodiversity. While the growing severity of wildfires challenges this resilience, many forests recover quickly, with some surviving seeds and roots growing into new young plants. In some cases, fires even create conditions for a more diverse forest ecosystem. By using controlled burns and improving forest management, we can help forests regenerate more effectively and continue to thrive in the face of future fires.

Nature is astonishing; despite numerous threats, the list of resilient ecosystems is long. From African elephants to Atlantic puffins, and from grasslands to wetlands, nature is showing remarkable signs of resilience. However, it can only adapt so much before it reaches its breaking point. Concerted efforts to curb emissions, reduce environmental impacts, and restore damaged habitats, are needed to ensure that ecosystems and communities have the capacity to cope with and adapt to changes over the long term.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is supporting Team Malizia’s My Ocean Challenge educational programme, plays a key role in advancing global environmental resilience. Its initiatives focus on preserving biodiversity, protecting both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and combating climate change through strategic collaborations and funding. It focuses on restoring critical ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs, and funds research aimed at better understanding and mitigating climate impacts on marine life​. Through partnerships with initiatives like the newly launched Vendée Globe Foundation, it raises awareness and promotes actions to safeguard vulnerable environments.

Besides sustainable practices, we also need to prepare for the inevitable consequences of climate change our communities will face - including more frequent and severe weather events, shifts in agricultural productivity, and changes in water availability. In order to help medium-size businesses, communities, and public institutions to better assess their climate risks, our main partner Zurich offers a newly launched tool called “Climate Spotlight Core”. Developed by their Zurich Resilience Solutions programme, it harnesses climate data to provide an overview of the impact of the present and future climate at their client’s locations, and is part of Zurich’s efforts to increase resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Whether on land or at sea, resilience is not passive. It demands action, foresight, and a commitment to long-term solutions. For all of us, it means recognising that resilience is a shared responsibility—between individuals, communities, and nations. As Boris will soon navigate the Southern Ocean, we are reminded of the strength it takes to endure and adapt. The key lies in our ability to work together—protecting our ecosystems, supporting innovation, and embracing sustainable solutions. By nurturing resilience within both nature and ourselves, we have the power to shape a better future.