Climate change poses challenges and risks to coastal communities, and the
adaptation of local residents is a critically relevant issue that needs to
be addressed in the policymaking process. The main purpose of this paper is
to determine the perceptions and experiences of climate change among coastal
community residents in the Philippines. This study used a combination of
methods, such as participatory mapping exercises, focus group discussions,
key informant interviews, and document analyses. The data, which were
primarily collected from three coastal villages in the province of Bulacan,
were subjected to a thematic network analysis. The findings revealed four
dominant themes pertaining to climate change adaptation in a coastal
community setting: vulnerability conditions, risk awareness, risk
perceptions, and climate change awareness and perceptions. In particular, it
was found out that the communities were exposed to the threats of natural
hazards like flood and storm surge. Such exposure highlighted the residents'
concerns over the risks of hazards on their livelihoods and properties. The
residents also observed the unpredictability and the worsening effects of
climate change. With their direct experiences of the natural hazards'
impacts and awareness of the presence of risks, residents had undertaken
actions to build their adaptive capacity. This study then highlights the
value of integrating local knowledge into the mapping exercises, revealing
crucial information regarding vulnerabilities, risks, and adaptation
practices.
Exploring the use of Risk Assessment Approach for Climate Change Adaptation in Indonesia: Case Study of Flood Risk and Adaptation Assessment in the South Sumatra Province
