Assessing Perception of Climate Change by Representatives of Public Authorities and Designing Coastal Climate Services: Lessons Learnt From French Polynesia

Abstract

Institutional actors have a crucial role in adaptation to climate change, especially for highly vulnerable territories such as small tropical islands. Here, we emphasize their major role in the co-design of tailored coastal climate services (CCS) based on a case study of French Polynesia. In this perspective, we assessed climate change perceptions by public authorities and identified their needs with regard to climate-related science. This assessment included an analysis of the decision-making context, semi-structured interviews with practitioners representing 23 administrative divisions directly or indirectly involved in climate change issues, and a workshop dedicated to discussing needs in terms of CCS. Generally, respondents did not identify climate change as a major current issue in French Polynesia; they showed more concern for economic growth, pollution, land tenure, and land use planning. However, interviewees were concerned about future impacts of sea-level rise (SLR) and ocean warming and acidification, mentioning in particular their detrimental impacts on marine ecosystems, shoreline position, economy (especially agriculture and the blue economy), and freshwater resources. The interviewed practitioners showed particular interest in SLR projections for future decades up to a century, and for knowledge on expected impacts to critical infrastructure, coastal systems, and natural resources. Practitioners' needs made it possible to co-define four CCS to be developed: (1) the design of sea-levelrise-compatible critical infrastructures (airports and ports); (2) adapting to the risk of destabilization of beaches and reef islands; (3) professional training on climate change impacts and adaptation, including an analysis of potentially emerging new jobs in the SLR context; and (4) the development of participatory approaches for observing climate change impacts. While the co-development of these CCS will require a multiyear engagement of stakeholders concerned with climate change adaptation, our results already shed light on specific needs for salient CCS in highly vulnerable tropical island territories.

A Comparative Analysis of Climate Change Risk Response Perception Paths between Northern and Southern Shaanxi

“…Some scholars analyzed the adaptation behaviors and influencing factors of peasants in the hilly loess regions of northern Shaanxi and concluded that peasants' adaptation behaviors are affected by the perception of climate change (Figure 7). In addition [51], family socioeconomic attributes have a significant impact on the probability of peasants' adaptation behaviors, while other attributes such as age and education level are independent of the probability of farmers adopting adaptive behaviors [52] (Figure 8).…”

Perceptions of climate change and adaptation: A subarctic archipelago perspective (Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon, North America)

“…In general, studies have shown that relocation might be accepted, but usually with longer time scales (Minéo-Kleiner, 2017;Rey-Valette et al, 2019). This sense of urgency for implementing adaptation solutions in Miquelon, and in Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon more generally, is uncommon: other studies highlight that the economic situation, pollution or waste problems are more likely to be seen as urgent issues, especially in island communities (Terorotua et al, 2020). In Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon, this sense of urgency for adaptation may indicate both a sudden awareness of the risks and a wish to preserve the territory, due to strong place attachment.…”

Local Officials’ Perceptions of Climate Victim Management Challenges on Bangladesh’s Southeast Coast

“…Past studies on disaster responses examined risk perceptions of local government officials to understand local institutional capacity [10][11][12]. Local actors' awareness of disaster responses and displacement challenges play a critical role in preparing for evacuation and making evacuation decisions for those in vulnerable areas [13].…”