How are coastal households responding to climate change?

Carmen Elrick-Barr; Timothy F Smith; Benjamin Preston; Dana C Thomsen; Scott Baum

doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2016.05.013

Back

How are coastal households responding to climate change?

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

How are coastal households responding to climate change?

Carmen Elrick-Barr, Timothy F Smith, Benjamin Preston, Dana C Thomsen and Scott Baum

Environmental Science and Policy, Vol.63, pp.177-186

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2016.05.013

Files and links (2)

pdf

PDF - Author's Accepted Version (Open Access)410.72 kBDownload View

Accepted VersionPDF - Author Accepted Version (Open Access)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2016.05.013View

Published Version

Abstract

vulnerability

resilience

risk

decision-making

environmental hazards

In Australia, shared responsibility is a concept advocated to promote collective climate change adaptation by multiple actors and institutions. However, a shared response is often promoted in the absence of information regarding actions currently taken; in particular, there is limited knowledge regarding action occurring at the household scale. To address this gap, we examine household actions taken to address climate change and associated hazards in two Australian coastal communities. Mixed methods research is conducted to answer three questions: (1) what actions are currently taken (mitigation, actions to lobby for change or adaptation to climate impacts)? (2) why are these actions taken (e.g. are they consistent with capacity, experience, perceptions of risk); and (3) what are the implications for adaptation? We find that households are predominantly mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and that impact orientated adaptive actions are limited. Coping strategies are considered sufficient to mange climate risks, proving a disincentive for additional adaptive action. Influencing factors differ, but generally, risk perception and climate change belief are associated with action. However, the likelihood of more action is a function of homeownership and a tendency to plan ahead. Addressing factors that support or constrain household adaptive decision-making and action, from the physical (e.g. homeownership) to the social (e.g. skills in planning and a culture of adapting to change) will be critical in increasing household participation in adaptation.

Details

Title: How are coastal households responding to climate change?
Authors: Carmen Elrick-Barr (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Timothy F Smith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Benjamin Preston (Author) - Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, United States
Dana C Thomsen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Scott Baum (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Environmental Science and Policy, Vol.63, pp.177-186
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2016.05.013
ISSN: 1462-9011
Copyright note: Copyright © 2016. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449645002621
Output Type: Journal article