How Ecosystem-Based Adaptation to Climate Change Can Help Coastal Communities through a Participatory Approach

Liette Vasseur

doi:10.3390/su13042344

Abstract

Coastal rural communities worldwide face many challenges not only related to climate change but also extreme events, environmental degradation, population growth or aging, and conflict usage of the ecosystem. Historically, the economies of coastal communities have been based on the exploitation of natural resources, thus shaping its socioeconomic development. This has led to some limitations in the way these communities can now adapt to climate change. In Canada, coastal communities are increasingly dealing with climate change consequences. Sea level rise, coastal erosion, and increasing frequency in storm surges threaten the fragility of both natural and human systems. Various approaches have been used to try to reduce the vulnerability and improve adaptive capacity of communities. One approach, promoted by many organizations including the United Nations, is ecosystem-based adaptation. This approach is part of the series of nature-based solutions that help social–ecological systems become more resilient; by promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, this approach also relates to principles of community engagement and supports adaptive governance and social inclusion. This paper describes and analyzes these principles and considers strategies for ensuring community engagement. Combining ecosystem-based adaptation with a strong community engagement can enhance the long-term sustainability of the social-ecological system.

Highlights

Community-based adaptation (CbA) has been promoted as an approach that can be more inclusive at the local level, as it combines the development with adaptation strategies that encourage communities to implement measures [17]
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) goes beyond addressing climate change impacts through adaptation and ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation in the short term, as it reduces the vulnerability of the social–ecological system, improving the sustainability of both people and the ecosystem in the long term [11]
It links the bottom-up approach of community-based adaptation (CbA) with the top-down system of policy-based adaptation by allowing a space for dialogue, where biodiversity and ecosystem services can play a greater role to help adapt to climate change [10,13]

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Climate change has increasingly impacted coastal communities due to an increase in frequency and/or intensity of extreme weather events, such as storm surges and extreme rainfall resulting in flooding, coastal erosion, and infrastructure damage While these changes vary among regions around the globe, their impacts depend on both vulnerability and exposure of the communities and their natural ecosystems [2]. In Atlantic Canada, for instance, sea level has increased over the past century by 30 cm and is projected to increase by another 26 to 98 cm by 2100 [4,5] As these changes are generally impacting at the local level, it has become clear that solutions must be locally suited to ensure the sustainability of these communities and their natural and managed ecological systems. I underline other considerations from my own experience to ensure that community engagement is meaningful and successful in EbA projects

Various Approaches to Adaptation

What Is Ecosystem-Based Adaptation?

Tools for Connecting People and EbA

Conclusions