Newswise — The development of a new method by scientists empowers citizens to identify solutions for the threats their communities face, making it easier to prepare for extreme weather events caused by climate change, such as flooding.
In the UK, researchers are implementing an approach that involves bringing community groups together to discuss and comprehend the anticipated effects of climate change within their local area. This inclusive process encompasses a range of risks, including indirect ones like food shortages and energy disruption, as well as physical threats such as heat stress and flooding.
Traditionally, climate adaptation initiatives have predominantly been developed by governments or businesses, often neglecting the role of citizens in helping themselves. However, a newly introduced approach, published recently in Nature Climate Change, aims to address this gap. Developed by researchers from the Universities of Reading and Surrey, this innovative method involves the creation of maps and networks that empower citizens to identify solutions for the specific threats their communities face. By providing accessible tools and resources, this approach seeks to actively involve citizens in the process of climate adaptation.
Under the leadership of Professor Tom Oliver from the University of Reading, the study also conducted pilots in India and Ghana to test the efficacy of the approach. Professor Oliver expressed his aspiration for these methods to be widely adopted, emphasizing the importance of citizen-led adaptation planning processes. He envisions a future where every village, town, and city engages in such initiatives to enhance preparedness for the profound impacts of climate change. By involving citizens at a grassroots level, the goal is to foster widespread readiness and resilience.
Adaptation plans
The method was initially piloted in Reading, Oxford, and Wallingford in the UK. In these locations, citizens collaborated and engaged in discussions about the individual actions that can be taken to safeguard themselves, their households, and their communities from the repercussions of climate-related threats. The identified actions encompassed various measures, such as stockpiling long-life food and improving home insulation to combat floods and heatwaves effectively. Additionally, citizens adopted proactive approaches, including lobbying the government for impactful measures aimed at mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change. By actively involving individuals in these discussions and actions, the aim is to foster a collective effort in climate adaptation and resilience.
During the engagement process, participants shared their personal experiences in implementing the aforementioned actions. This collective knowledge and experience formed the basis for developing "personal adaptation plans" tailored to each individual's circumstances. These plans involved identifying specific interventions, outlining the necessary steps to achieve them, and setting a timeframe for implementation. Through this personalized approach, participants reported a notable increase in their awareness and preparedness for the impacts of climate change. By actively involving individuals in the planning and decision-making process, the method not only empowered citizens but also fostered a sense of ownership and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Professor Nigel Gilbert from the University of Surrey highlighted the significance of involving citizens as active participants in the discovery process of understanding climate change impacts. By engaging citizens as co-creators, the information gathered becomes more meaningful and relevant to their specific experiences and needs. Furthermore, when adaptation plans are identified and discussed within the community, they tend to be more realistic and effective. This emphasizes the importance of community involvement and collaboration in developing climate adaptation strategies that truly reflect the context and challenges faced by the citizens themselves. By fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility, community-driven adaptation plans have a higher likelihood of successful implementation and resilience-building.
Global collaboration
The approach was implemented on a global scale, specifically in two regions: the lower Volta Basin in Ghana and the Assam region in India. This initiative received assistance from two esteemed organizations: the CSIR-Water Research Institute in Ghana and the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur in India.
The residents of both regions took the lead in recognizing the various challenges posed by climate change. In Ghana, these risks encompassed bushfires, droughts, floods, coastal erosion, rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and the presence of invasive alien species. In response, the local citizens collectively determined a set of actions to address these concerns. These initiatives included afforestation and freshwater storage, tree planting, river dredging, and utilizing sandbags to block flood channels.
The inhabitants of Majuli Island in the Assam region of India engaged in extensive discussions regarding the significant challenges they faced due to frequent flooding and erosion, which had severe impacts on housing and vulnerable agriculture. To address these issues, the villagers devised a range of solutions. In the short term, they implemented measures such as storing feed for livestock in preparation for floods. Additionally, they focused on long-term strategies, including exploring alternative sources of income such as fishing and weaving, to mitigate the adverse effects of flooding and erosion on their livelihoods.
During the study, participants from all three regions actively shared their findings and insights, discovering how their respective responses to climate change could be applicable to their own localities. A participant from Ghana expressed their observations, stating, "I have gained valuable knowledge about the adaptation strategies employed by people in the UK and India, and I can see how these approaches can also be relevant and beneficial to our village here." This exchange of information and experiences fostered cross-regional learning and enabled participants to explore effective climate change adaptation measures beyond their immediate surroundings.
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