The Influence of Science Communication on Indigenous Climate Change Perception: Theoretical and Practical Implications

Rudiak-Gould, Peter

doi:10.1007/s10745-013-9605-9

Cited by 48 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Yet supporting young people to navigate traditional structures that currently limit their voice within their families and community will be effective only if they also have a common language in which to discuss climate change issues (Vakaoti, ). Our overview of qualitative findings (above) indicate that climate change discussions with elders may be difficult for both younger and older people because the latter do not have the vocabulary to describe the issues and their concerns clearly, an issue identified in other Pacific Island countries (Rudiak‐Gould, ; Rudiak‐Gould, ). Addressing such terminology‐based obstacles to effective communication within Fiji specifically, and within the Pacific Islands more generally, is critical if today’s adolescents are able to be effective facilitators of future adaptation to climate change in these nations and among these peoples.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fijian adolescents’ understanding and evaluation of climate change: Implications for enabling effective future adaptation

Scott‐Parker

Kumar

2018

Asia Pacific Viewpoint

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Pacific Island countries are particularly vulnerable to future manifestations of climate change due to high coastline‐to‐land‐area ratios, and high dependence of inhabitants on natural ecosystems. While everyone in the Pacific Islands should participate in climate change adaptation activities, it is the young people, given they are the generation likely to not only bear the burden of climate change, but to lead and live effective climate change adaptation activities and strategies specific to their region, the involvement of youth is critical. Pacific Island youths are often marginalised within traditional decision‐making hierarchies, therefore they are typically excluded from participating in meaningful discussions at community and government levels. Discussions were held with 30 adolescents aged 14–18 years in Fiji to explore knowledge and experiences regarding climate change. Participants revealed their dismay at their inability to talk to family – who they consider are not doing enough – about what they consider as appropriate responses to climate change, recommending the help of an authoritative outsider who could speak to their community leaders and family. Discussions also revealed that Fijian youth could not distinguish between changes in the climate and normal weather events, attesting to the importance of climate‐change education and awareness‐raising efforts within the Pacific Islands more generally.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fijian adolescents’ understanding and evaluation of climate change: Implications for enabling effective future adaptation

Scott‐Parker

Kumar

2018

Asia Pacific Viewpoint

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“…The localized and temporal depth of understanding in ILK systems is the basis for abundant and growing literature that clearly demonstrates the links between ILK and sustainable resource use (e.g., Bird et al 2012, Schmidt and Ticktin 2012, including in Pacific Islands (e.g., Johannes 2002, Thaman 2008, Friedlander et al 2013. In the Pacific Islands, ILK systems have also been shown to build adaptive capacity to social and environmental change (Campbell 2006, Barnett and Campbell 2010, Lauer et al 2012 and to improve understanding of the social-ecological effects of climate change (e.g., Berkes 2009, Lauer et al 2012, Rudiak-Gould 2014. Scholarship on disaster risk management (e.g., Thaman 2002, McAdoo et al 2009, Mercer 2010 has led the way for research on the role of ILK in strengthening resilience to climate change, and this research continues to develop in the Pacific (Green et al 2010, Lefale 2010, Alexander et al 2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small islands, valuable insights: systems of customary resource use and resilience to climate change in the Pacific

McMillen¹,

Ticktin²,

Friedlander³

et al. 2014

E&S

146

133

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ABSTRACT. Understanding how social-ecological systems are and can be resilient to climate change is one of the world's most crucial problems today. It requires knowledge at local and global scales, the integration of natural and social sciences, and a focus on biocultural diversity. Small Pacific Islands and the knowledge-practice-belief systems of their peoples have a long history of resilience to environmental variability and unpredictability, including in areas with marginal habitats and with periodic, severe disturbance (e.g., drought, flood, storms, and tsunami). We review the state of research on these knowledge systems as it pertains to resilience and adaptation, and we highlight critical research needs to address the interrelated areas of: (1) local-scale expertise and observations of change with regard to weather, life-history cycles, and ecological processes; (2) customary resource management institutions and practices (i.e., with agroforests and the nearshore marine environment); and (3) the roles of leaders, social institutions, and social networks in the context of disturbance and change. We conclude that these knowledge systems can contribute high-resolution observations, benchmark data, and insights into practices that enhance resilience and adaptive capacity in integrated terrestrial and marine systems. Community-based and participatory approaches can complement and ground-truth climate models and direct culturally appropriate resource management, research, and adaptation measures. Although most islands in the Pacific are small, their knowledge systems include valuable insights on seasonal cycles, ecological processes, and the management of biocultural diversity that are relevant at a broad scale for understanding resilience and adaptability to the social-ecological effects of climate change.

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“…In order to enhance adaptive behavior and improve coping capacity, a holistic communicative approach needs to relate 1) to perceptions and future expectations of change, and 2) to the perceived efficiency of adaptive strategies (Grothmann & Patt, 2005;Moser, 2014;Beyerl et al, 2016). Integrated into local customs, communicative approaches should not only raise awareness about climate change per se but also focus on various types of effective and feasible coping strategies, training of necessary skills, assistance in obtaining essential items and materials, and support for selfefficacy (Moser, 2014;McNaught et al, 2014;Scott-Parker et al, 2016;Rudiak-Gould, 2014;Nunn, 2009;van Aalst, 2008;Mercer, 2010;Gero et al, 2011;Mercer et al 2012).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing perceived effects of climate-related environmental change and adaptation strategies for the Pacific small island states of Tuvalu, Samoa, and Tonga

Beyerl¹,

Mieg²,

Weber³

2018

ISJ

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ABSTRACT:Inhabitants of Pacific small island states are facing multiple socio-ecological pressures, with climate change being one of the most prominent. Nevertheless, the agency of local stakeholders in decisions on how to adapt to climate-related environmental change has been largely underappreciated in the climate change sciences as well as in policy decisions. We, therefore, conducted a survey study in Tuvalu, Samoa, and Tonga, asking specifically how residents perceive their situation regarding climate-related challenges, what adaptation strategies they have devised and implemented, and what they expect of governmental and nongovernmental organisations in these efforts. In contrast to the common perception that Pacific small island states are primarily threatened by rising sea levels, residents' perceptions indicate that drought, cyclones and other flood-related problems pose a far more imminent danger. Our results suggest that further research on those perceived environmental changes is advisable to provide reliable data for scientific models and policy decisions.

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The Influence of Science Communication on Indigenous Climate Change Perception: Theoretical and Practical Implications

Cited by 48 publications

References 21 publications

Fijian adolescents’ understanding and evaluation of climate change: Implications for enabling effective future adaptation

Fijian adolescents’ understanding and evaluation of climate change: Implications for enabling effective future adaptation

Small islands, valuable insights: systems of customary resource use and resilience to climate change in the Pacific

Comparing perceived effects of climate-related environmental change and adaptation strategies for the Pacific small island states of Tuvalu, Samoa, and Tonga

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