Population Matters: Listening to Past Experiences and Future Aspirations Regarding Risks and Adaptation Actions

Abstract

Successful adaptation to climate change needs the involvement of the local population. Thus, to identify individual’s perception of climate-change-driven sea-level rise, to know whether individuals recognise climate change as a priority and to observe their willingness to bear the costs for implementing adaptation measures, pre- and post-surveys were applied in two stakeholder engagement meetings in Santos, in Sep. and Dec. 2015. Attendees of both engagement meetings were invited to answer a survey on individual and community risk experience, funding preferences for adopting adaptation measures, and their perceptions about barriers to implement adaptation. Results showed different viewpoints and even antagonistic interests: on the one hand those focused on environmental conservation and on the other, interests focused on urban expansion, increase of port operations, and of tourism and commercial activities. A pro-environmental pattern was identified, but some contradictions have also emerged: participants consider that high wind storms is the most preoccupant hazard for their own houses but not to the city as a whole; they also recognise the urgency of the matter, but do not seem willing to support adaptation measures by new taxes or fees.

Annexes

Annex 1 Sections of the survey

Annex 2 Questions of the surveys