TY - JOUR
T1 - Coastal flooding, climate change and environmental justice
T2 - Identifying obstacles and incentives for adaptation in two metropolitan Boston Massachusetts communities
AU - Douglas, Ellen M.
AU - Kirshen, Paul H.
AU - Paolisso, Michael
AU - Watson, Chris
AU - Wiggin, Jack
AU - Enrici, Ashley
AU - Ruth, Matthias
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - We explored the possible future impacts of increased coastal flooding due to sea level rise and the potential adaptation responses of two urban, environmental justice communities in the metropolitan Boston area of Massachusetts. East Boston is predominantly a residential area with some industrial and commercial activities, particularly along the coastal fringe. Everett, a city to the north of Boston, has a diversified industrial and commercial base. While these two communities have similar socioeconomic characteristics, they differ substantially in the extent to which residents would be impacted by increased coastal flooding. In East Boston, a large portion of residents would be flooded, while in Everett, it is the commercial/industrial districts that are primarily vulnerable. Through a series of workshops with residents in each community, we found that the target populations do not have an adaptation perspective or knowledge of any resources that could assist them in this challenge. Furthermore, they do not feel included in the planning processes within their communities. However, a common incentive for both communities was an intense commitment to their communities and an eagerness to learn more and become actively engaged in decisions regarding climate change adaptation. The lessons that can be applied to other studies include 1) images are powerful tools in communicating concepts, 2) understanding existing cultural knowledge and values in adaptation planning is essential to the planning process and 3) engaging local residents at the beginning of the process can create important educational opportunities and develop trust and consensus that is necessary for moving from concept to implementation.
AB - We explored the possible future impacts of increased coastal flooding due to sea level rise and the potential adaptation responses of two urban, environmental justice communities in the metropolitan Boston area of Massachusetts. East Boston is predominantly a residential area with some industrial and commercial activities, particularly along the coastal fringe. Everett, a city to the north of Boston, has a diversified industrial and commercial base. While these two communities have similar socioeconomic characteristics, they differ substantially in the extent to which residents would be impacted by increased coastal flooding. In East Boston, a large portion of residents would be flooded, while in Everett, it is the commercial/industrial districts that are primarily vulnerable. Through a series of workshops with residents in each community, we found that the target populations do not have an adaptation perspective or knowledge of any resources that could assist them in this challenge. Furthermore, they do not feel included in the planning processes within their communities. However, a common incentive for both communities was an intense commitment to their communities and an eagerness to learn more and become actively engaged in decisions regarding climate change adaptation. The lessons that can be applied to other studies include 1) images are powerful tools in communicating concepts, 2) understanding existing cultural knowledge and values in adaptation planning is essential to the planning process and 3) engaging local residents at the beginning of the process can create important educational opportunities and develop trust and consensus that is necessary for moving from concept to implementation.
KW - Adaptation
KW - Climate change
KW - Environmental justice
KW - Flooding
KW - Sea level rise
KW - Storm surge
KW - Vulnerability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84860364311&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11027-011-9340-8
DO - 10.1007/s11027-011-9340-8
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84860364311
VL - 17
SP - 537
EP - 562
JO - Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change
JF - Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change
SN - 1381-2386
IS - 5
ER -