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PurposeFor communities threatened by current or impending climate change, adaptation is becoming a necessity. Although little research has been done on human competences so far, this research shows that some appear to facilitate the adaptation process. The purpose of this multiple‐case study is to identify adaptive competences demonstrated by two groups of Canadian citizens: municipal employees in a coastal community and farmers.Design/methodology/approachAs part of workshops based on a problem solving process, the two groups analyzed the impacts of climate change in their field of work and geographical area, chose a problem related to these impacts, suggested and then implemented adaptation measures. The municipal employees worked on sea level rise, whereas the farmers focused on poor soil quality, which makes it vulnerable to bad weather.FindingsBy thematically analyzing the verbatim transcripts of the workshops and by building narratives, the authors were able to identify similar adaptive competences in both groups: local knowledge, futures thinking, hindsight, risk prediction, critical thinking, decision‐making, and problem solving (highlighting key problem components, suggesting solutions, and identifying constraints). However, two competences were chiefly found in the group composed of farmers: optimism and openness to novelty.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to lead to recommendations regarding the pedagogical support of citizens during an adaptation process to climate change. These recommendations might be helpful in many communities where adaptation to climate change is a pressing issue.

This study deals with the evaluation of the hydrologic metabolism of the Greater Moncton (GM) region, from a sustainable and integrated development of water resources perspective. The hydrological metabolism approach involves the quantification of water inputs and outputs. Therefore, a water balance for the region was carried out for the period 1984 to 2004. An average annual water volume was determined for each of the nine components used within the balance equation. Water inputs calculated for the system included: 263 × 10 6 m 3 /yr for total precipitation and 17.7 × 10 6 m 3 /yr for potable water produced at the water treatment plant. For system outputs, values were: 99.9 × 10 6 m 3 /yr for evapotranspiration, 110 × 10 6 m 3 /yr for infiltration, 22.7 × 10 6 m 3 /yr for wastewater at the sewage plant outlet (exfiltration 6.1 × 10 6 m 3 /yr), 37.7 × 10 6 m 3 /yr of the precipitation amount drained by the storm sewer network, 1.05 × 10 6 m 3 /yr for overflow and 3.55 × 10 6 m 3 /yr for potable water losses in the water distribution system. These input/output results were validated through an analysis of the water system's calculated losses (20%) in relation to values estimated by the GM municipal authorities (between 10% and 20%). This study concluded that the approach and information provided offer many potential benefits that could lead to sustainable and integrated management of water resources in the GM region. It also provides an approach for municipal authorities within the GM region that could be incorporated as a tool to support their decision-making process. In addition, the information presented in this study could form the basis of an educational program. Résumé : Cette étude traite de l'évaluation du métabolisme hydrologique urbain de la région du Grand Moncton selon une perspective de développement durable et intégré des ressources en eau. L'approche du métabolisme hydrologique consiste à quantifier les intrants et les extrants d'eau à travers un système. Le bilan hydrique de la région a été réalisé à partir de l'analyse du cycle hydrologique de cette dernière. Un volume moyen d'eau, évalué pour la période allant de 1984 à 2004, a été déterminé pour chacun des neuf paramètres de l'équation de ce bilan. Les valeurs calculées sont, pour les intrants au système : 263 × 10 6 m 3 /a pour les précipitations totales et 17,7 × 10 6 m 3 /a pour l'eau potable produite à la station de traitement de l'eau. En ce qui concerne les extrants au système, ces valeurs calculées sont : 99,9 × 10 6 m 3 /a pour l'évapotranspiration et 110 × 10 6 m 3 /a pour l'infiltration, 22,7 × 10 6 m 3 /a pour les eaux usées à la sortie 256 Canadian Water Resources Journal/Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques © 2009 Canadian Water Resources Association de la station d'épuration (exfiltration 6.1 × 10 6 m 3 /a), 37,7 × 10 6 m 3 /a pour les précipitations drainées par le réseau d'égouts pluviaux, 1,05 × 10 6 m 3 /a pour les débordements et 3,55 × 10 6 m 3 /a pour les pertes en eau potable dans le réseau d'aqueduc. Ces résultats ont...

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