Enhancing climate change adaptation: strategies for community engagement and university-community partnerships

Abstract

This paper discusses current opportunities for universities to partner with local governments and NGOs to support local level adaptation to climate change and a proposed ten-stage model which delineates the key stages of a collaborative climate change adaptation process. We offer findings and recommendations based upon two case studies of recently completed regional climate change adaptation projects in New Hampshire and Minnesota. These recommendations are also informed by previous research on effective community-based natural resource management programs and the role of building local community capital to support ongoing adaptation efforts. Key findings include the identification of relevant and significant roles for higher education that are supportive of local climate change adaptation efforts. These roles include, but are not limited to, conducting applied climate change research, assessment of current conditions and the risks from severe weather events, translating science for lay audience and local decision makers, disseminating local-scaled climate information, providing technical support for multisector collaborative planning efforts, and evaluating the effectiveness of local adaptation actions. Both case study sites found that the involvement of higher education in local climate change adaption efforts raises the legitimacy of the process.