Implications and Lessons Learned

Abstract

In order to improve the resilience of social-ecological systems of small rural coastal communities in Atlantic Canada, we used different methodologies to not only increase awareness and understanding of what is climate change, but also to enhance public engagement and find solutions that are more appropriate to these communities. This entailed, for example, integrating scientific and existing knowledge. Communities need to be a part of planning and governance in order to identify the most important impacts and response measures. Local governance, from local service districts to municipal and support from the provincial government, are also considered essential in order to improve resilience in the study region. It is necessary to have both short-term (emergency) plans in effect as well as longer term planning for improved adaptation to increasing major storms. Adaptation measures have to consider any physicosocial aspects of hazards, with social responses integrated into physical and environmental hazard-proofing initiatives. Other suggestions are included here based on lessons learned from the research.