Abstract
This study sheds light on the effects of community resilience and risk appraisal on climate change adaptation behaviour within the context of the resettlement site of Kannagi Nagar in Chennai, India. The residents of Kannagi Nagar, built on flood-prone marshlands, are exposed to the risks of flooding and water scarcity. Data were collected at the household level through a questionnaire and interviews to investigate activities contributing to community resilience, their interrelatedness, and the influence of community resilience and risk appraisal on household adaptation behaviour. Findings show that community resilience – assessed using the five core dimensions of trust, place attachment, collective efficacy, social networks and social support – significantly and positively influences adaptation actions. This implies that only when the inhabitants of Kannagi Nagar are supported by their social networks and have confidence in their community’s capabilities, can greater risk awareness increase the number of adaptation measures taken.
Highlights
Climate change is a global emergency, its effects, including sea-level rise and extreme weather events, are experienced more in some places than others
The research applied socio-cognitive theories to the analysis of households’ behaviour related to adaptation in Kannagi Nagar. This settlement, selected for its challenges, is located on the Pallikaranai Marsh, which as noted above provides essential ecosystem services.(118) Urbanization and resettlements of the informally housed have led to degradation of natural drainage systems and amplified flood risks, which are exacerbated by poorly managed sewage, drainage and flood management systems.(119) Climate change has further intensified these dynamics.(120) The increasing demand from Chennai’s growing population has led to a drop in groundwater levels and the drying out of local rainfed reservoirs,(121) and water scarcity is a pressing concern in Kannagi Nagar
Climate change adaptation behaviour has been categorized into actions tackling flooding, water scarcity, and general livelihood strategies
Summary
Climate change is a global emergency, its effects, including sea-level rise and extreme weather events, are experienced more in some places than others. Climate change adaptation strategies in the context of flooding and water scarcity can vary by actor (i.e. individual, community, government agency) and in terms of effectiveness (i.e. maladaptation, no adaptation, coping, adaptation).(27) Behavioural changes within a short-term timeframe, which are reactive and implemented ad hoc, are defined as coping strategies. Positive coping strategies make use of available skills, resources and opportunities to improve the current situation and ensure survival.(28) Through incremental changes, social learning and feedback loops, coping strategies can transform into proactive adaptation strategies.(29) Adaptation behaviour is more anticipatory, with a long-term timeframe; it includes shifts in practices, adjustment to trends and increased resilience.(30) The least effective strategies are avoidant maladaptation and negative coping strategies, both of which lead to a decline in the level of resilience.
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