scholarly journals An AHP-derived method for mapping the physical vulnerability of coastal areas at regional scales

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1209-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Le Cozannet ◽  
M. Garcin ◽  
T. Bulteau ◽  
C. Mirgon ◽  
M. L. Yates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coastal Lagoons ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Thin Strip ◽  
La Réunion ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Coastal Vulnerability ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change

Abstract. Assessing coastal vulnerability to climate change at regional scales is now mandatory in France since the adoption of recent laws to support adaptation to climate change. However, there is presently no commonly recognised method to assess accurately how sea level rise will modify coastal processes in the coming decades. Therefore, many assessments of the physical component of coastal vulnerability are presently based on a combined use of data (e.g. digital elevation models, historical shoreline and coastal geomorphology datasets), simple models and expert opinion. In this study, we assess the applicability and usefulness of a multi-criteria decision-mapping method (the analytical hierarchy process, AHP) to map physical coastal vulnerability to erosion and flooding in a structured way. We apply the method in two regions of France: the coastal zones of Languedoc-Roussillon (north-western Mediterranean, France) and the island of La Réunion (south-western Indian Ocean), notably using the regional geological maps. As expected, the results show not only the greater vulnerability of sand spits, estuaries and low-lying areas near to coastal lagoons in both regions, but also that of a thin strip of erodible cliffs exposed to waves in La Réunion. Despite gaps in knowledge and data, the method is found to provide a flexible and transportable framework to represent and aggregate existing knowledge and to support long-term coastal zone planning through the integration of such studies into existing adaptation schemes.

Adaptive capacity and regional water governance in north-western Germany

Water Policy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 794-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Grecksch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Salt Water Intrusion ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Study Region

Successful adaptation to climate change requires flexible adaptation strategies which consider regional ecological, economic and social circumstances. Coastal zones are considered to be significantly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The projected impacts of climate change in the metropolitan region of Bremen–Oldenburg, Germany (a coastal area), are, for example, rising sea level, salt water intrusion, temporary groundwater scarcity in the summer and increased (heavy) rainfalls. This paper uses an existing framework, the Adaptive Capacity Wheel (ACW), complemented by two additional dimensions: adaptation motivation and adaptation belief. The objectives were first, to assess the adaptive capacity of water governance in the study region, and second, to show how the ACW can be used as an approach and a communication tool with stakeholders to identify strengths and weaknesses. Based on this, a further objective was to discover what lessons and recommendations can be drawn that could help water experts and stakeholders in the future. The results show a high adaptive capacity and that the addition of the psychological dimensions was valuable. However, it is important to look closely at each dimension assessed by the ACW. The key recommendations are: to improve public participation; to ensure better coordination; to raise awareness; and to reduce the lack of political will to overcome adaptation barriers.

Policy Frameworks for Adaptation to Climate Change in Coastal Zones

OECD Papers ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-68
Author(s):  
Ellina Levina ◽  
Ivonne Ortiz ◽  
Luis Enrique Ramos Bustillos ◽  
John Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Policy Frameworks

Adaptation to climate change in Quebec’s coastal zone: a difficult transformation of public action

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (03) ◽  
pp. 282-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélinda Noblet ◽  
Genevieve Brisson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coastal Zone ◽  
Path Dependence ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Action ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
Climate Action

Purpose In recent years, the manifestation of the effects of climate change in coastal zones has prompted governments to mobilize and propose adaptation measures to reduce the vulnerability of their populations. For the governments responsible for the implementation of climate policies, adaptation still represents a novel field of action. The purpose of this paper is to show, via the example of Quebec’s coastal zone, how the transformation of public action relating to adaptation remains difficult. Design/methodology/approach For this case study, a qualitative method which combines documentary analysis and semi-directed interviews was selected. Findings The study shows how adaptation becomes a new issue in public action for the different authorities dealing with the effects of climate change in Quebec’s coastal zone. However, the results show that, as with other public policies, path dependence and incrementalism can be observed and limit the scope of public action and of the transformational processes in the field of adaptation. The technical–scientific approach to risk management is dominant, and the adaptation is not approached in a transversal way, despite its importance. Finally, concrete adaptation initiatives appear to be mostly relegated to the local scale, in an informal decentralization process. Originality/value This study contributes to improve climate action by favouring a reflection on the consideration of the conceptual and theoretical framework in the climate change adaptation literature and offers decision-makers and practitioners keys to the understanding of mechanisms underlying public action in the field of adaptation.

scholarly journals Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 2151
Author(s):  
Gary Griggs ◽  
Borja G. Reguero
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Coastal Hazards ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Short Term ◽  
And Sea Level

The Earth’s climate is changing; ice sheets and glaciers are melting and coastal hazards and sea level are rising in response. With a total population of over 300 million people situated on coasts, including 20 of the planet’s 33 megacities (over 10 million people), low-lying coastal areas represent one of the most vulnerable areas to the impacts of climate change. Many of the largest cities along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. are already experiencing frequent high tide flooding, and these events will increase in frequency, depth, duration and extent as sea levels continue to rise at an accelerating rate throughout the 21st century and beyond. Cities in southeast Asia and islands in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean are also suffering the effects of extreme weather events combined with other factors that increase coastal risk. While short-term extreme events such as hurricanes, El Niños and severe storms come and go and will be more damaging in the short term, sea-level rise is a long-term permanent change of state. However, the effects of sea-level rise are compounded with other hazards, such as increased wave action or a loss of ecosystems. As sea-level rise could lead to the displacement of hundreds of millions of people, this may be one of the greatest challenges that human civilization has ever faced, with associated inundation of major cities, loss of coastal infrastructure, increased saltwater intrusion and damage to coastal aquifers among many other global impacts, as well as geopolitical and legal implications. While there are several short-term responses or adaptation options, we need to begin to think longer term for both public infrastructure and private development. This article provides an overview of the status on adaptation to climate change in coastal zones.

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