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Perceptions of climate change and adaptation responses in a local community : the Barwon Estuary Complex, Victoria

Scally, Jaclyne and Wescott, Geoff 2011, Perceptions of climate change and adaptation responses in a local community : the Barwon Estuary Complex, Victoria, Australian geographer, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 387-401.

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Title Perceptions of climate change and adaptation responses in a local community : the Barwon Estuary Complex, Victoria
Author(s) Scally, Jaclyne
Wescott, Geoff
Journal name Australian geographer
Volume number 42
Issue number 4
Start page 387
End page 401
Total pages 15
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Place of publication London, England
Publication date 2011
ISSN 0004-9182
1465-3311
Keyword(s) climate change
Barwon estuary complex
adaptation
resilience
stakeholder perceptions
Summary The climate change focus in Australia has shifted from mitigation to adaptation with an emphasis on place-specific case studies. The Barwon Estuary Complex (BEC) on the Bellarine Peninsula, central Victoria, was the focus of this place-specific study in which 37 local stakeholders were consulted through a series of semi-structured interviews on the impacts of climate change on their coastal community. Overall there was uniformity in stakeholder perceptions of the climate change impacts and vulnerabilities pertaining to the BEC. In contrast, discussion on adaptation drew a diversity of responses. While 53 per cent of stakeholders indicated a need to limit the use of hard structures, and rather plan around a changing estuarine environment, opinion amongst the community group was divided. Some believed ‘retreat is the only option’ whilst others felt ‘there won’t be much leaving’. The present level of confusion around adaptation highlights the imperative of commencing discussions now to allow sufficient time to develop strategies which are both environmentally and socially responsible. This is important as ultimately it will be the community that will determine whether adaptation strategies are adopted or met with resistance.
Language eng
Field of Research 050205 Environmental Management
Socio Economic Objective 960307 Effects of Climate Change and Variability on Australia (excl. Social Impacts)
HERDC Research category C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Copyright notice ©2011, Geographical Society of New South Wales
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30044117

Document type: Journal Article
Collection: School of Life and Environmental Sciences
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