TY - RPRT
TI - Social and Cultural Values Mapping as a decision-support tool for climate change adaptation
AU - Novaczek, I
AU - MacFadyen, J
AU - Bardati, D
AU - MacEachern, K
AB - Planning, adaptive action and emergency preparedness can help reduce the damage done by rising sea levels, storms, coastal erosion and other impacts of climate change. The damage caused by climate changes affects more than geographical features and infrastructure; it also affects all of the values that people attach to the physical environment. However, adaptation plans and strategies are typically developed using scientific and economic data that capture only physical value while ignoring the associated social and cultural values.To make comprehensive plans that can help people and societies cope with climate changes, we need a method to document and display human values attached to the physical landscape so that these can be taken into account. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used to display and analyze these social and cultural values that are attached to geographic space. GIS can also be used to bring various knowledge fields together, displaying the social knowledge and values of residents together with scientific data on the predicted impacts of climate change. Maps that show both kinds of knowledge are tools that can assist local governments in planning and prioritizing effective adaptation strategies. In addition, the process of collective map building reassures people that their knowledge and values are respected. This helps develop trust and collaboration in governance, which are essential for effective community-level climate change adaptation.Governments and community groups on small islands such as Prince Edward Island are the vanguard of climate change adaptation because small islands are among the most vulnerable places on the planet to the effects of climate change. These jurisdictions will need tools that help them to improve their resilience, develop adaptation mechanisms, and communicate their needs to national and international governing bodies.In this paper we report on a pilot study of social and cultural values mapping performed on Prince Edward Island in January - March 2010. We conclude that this methodology has potential as a tool to support decision-making for climate change adaptation, and it can be implemented and modified as required by a variety of stakeholders.
DA - 2011/11//
PY - 2011
SP - 41
PB - University of Prince Edward Island
LA - English
KW - Human Dimensions
KW - Climate Change
ER -