Anthropogenic climate change poses huge challenges to humanity. The frequency and magnitude of extreme weather is increasing. As more attention turns to disaster preparedness and recovery, it is worth recognising that many communities have a long history of living with the flux of planetary dynamism. They are experienced in negotiating collective well-being with one another and with the earth. Other communities have less experience and know-how and have had to adopt more experimental approaches. In this paper we draw on planetary social thought and critical disaster studies to re-think disaster recovery. We present stories of communities in the Philippines differently negotiating collective well-being in the face of climate uncertainty.