Combining a community-driven assessment with semi-quantitative methodologies can help communities identify and address climate change vulnerability

Basel, B. ., Goby, G. ., & Johnson, J. . (2020). Community-based adaptation to climate change in villages of Western Province, Solomon Islands. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 156. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111266

Escalating climate and global changes present an imminent threat to Pacific communities. This study was based on the understanding that local community members have an important role to play in addressing this threat. Two objectives framed the study: (1) identify community priorities and document them in adaptation plans intended for local implementation and (2) evaluate whether community adaptation priorities addressed key vulnerabilities identified independently using a semi-quantitative vulnerability assessment.

The study focused on two Pacific communities – both located on Rendova Island in Western Province, Solomon Islands. Two types of assessments were used to identify key resources most at risk from projected climate change. One type of assessment was community-based and participatory; the other, a semi-quantitative vulnerability assessment. For the community-based assessment, a series of meetings were held with a diverse group of people at each of the study sites. A Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) process was used to solicit community member views about (1) local key resources most at risk from projected climate change, (2) the underlying drivers of this vulnerability, and (3) their priorities for how to adapt to the changes and related risks. The semi-quantitative assessment evaluated scientific information such as climate change projections, climate hazards, condition and trends of key resources, resource dependence, governance, education and health.

Vulnerable resources identified through the LEAP process in each of the communities included garden crops, coral reefs and fish, water sources, rivers and streams, beaches and shoreline, and village infrastructure. Drivers of vulnerability included both climate and non-climate changes to the community. Local adaptation priorities included governance, leadership and planning; farming and livestock; sustainable livelihoods; natural resource management; and youth capacity building. The key climate change vulnerabilities identified by the participatory approach matched the key vulnerabilities identified by the approach based on scientific data. The participatory approach yielded additional information about social vulnerability not obtained from the semi-quantitative assessment. The climate change adaptation priorities identified through this assessment process have informed ongoing local actions and are intended to be used by local communities and supportive groups to focus local effort, funding and project development.

This research highlights the importance of community member participation and initiative -- with representation of the various sectors of the community and marginalized groups – in identifying relevant climate change adaptation concerns and priorities for building community and ecological resilience. It also highlights the value of coupling participatory community vulnerability assessments and identification of adaptation priorities with scientific climate assessments. Youth capacity building -- identified as one of the priorities for addressing climate change vulnerability – calls for the education of youth with attention to the local ecological, production, and traditional knowledge.

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