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Perceptions of climate change and adaptation responses in a local community : the Barwon Estuary Complex, Victoria
journal contribution
posted on 2011-01-01, 00:00 authored by J Scally, Geoffrey WescottThe 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.
History
Journal
Australian geographerVolume
42Issue
4Pagination
387 - 401Publisher
Taylor & FrancisLocation
London, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0004-9182eISSN
1465-3311Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2011, Taylor & FrancisUsage metrics
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