Steve Plante

Gender-Based Experiences and Perceptions after the 2010 Winter Storms in Atlantic Canada

This paper conveys the findings of the first phase of a longitudinal study into climate change adaptation in Atlantic Canada. Men and women from 10 coastal communities in three provinces (Quebec, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) were interviewed to better understand how both sexes perceived and reacted to extreme weather events. Their responses were recorded based on their experiences, personal and community levels of preparedness, as well as help received and effects on their lives. Most importantly, the findings denote that more men were personally prepared and more active in the community than women. More men recognized a deficiency in help at the community level, and were critical of government in particular, addressing a lack of financial interventions and support. Women were forthcoming with their emotions, admitting to feeling fear and worry, and their perceptions in terms of impacts and actions were closer to home. The results support what others have shown that in rural and coastal communities the traditional division of labor may influence and lead to a gender bias in terms of actions and gradual adaptation in communities. There is a need to better understand how these sometimes subtle differences may affect decisions that do not always consider women’s roles and experiences in the face of extreme events.

Using a vision of a desired future in climate change adaptation planning: lessons learned in the municipality of Rivière-au-Tonnerre (Québec, Canada)

Through a practical application in the municipality of Rivière-au-Tonnerre on the Northern coast of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, this article explores the advantages of using a vision of future desired conditions for planning adaptation to climate change. Such an approach was used in small “kitchen meetings” for the elaboration of an adaptation action plan that was approved by the municipal council in September 2013 and revised in November 2014. The impacts of climate hazards were discussed as obstacles to the desired future conditions expressed by participants. This approach allowed the planning of a number of adaptation options, to define roles and responsibilities of different actors involved and to articulate different plans that are either in existence or being developed, linking them with adaptation. Based on our observations and on other studies in the fields of social movements, psychology and risk perception, we suggest that the use of a vision in discussion meetings with local actors could increase their motivation by placing the avoidance of undesired situations in the context of reaching their aspirations, in other words by embedding a prevention problem in promotion logic. The expression of a vision of a desired future could allow them to express their values and could facilitate the “framing” of a plan in a way that is coherent with them. The visions could then also be used to frame awareness-raising activities along the values they express.

Coastal Communities in Atlantic Canada

The population sample of 10 small rural coastal communities in Atlantic Canada is described, spanning the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Interviews of 74 people (both singly and in couples) were completed in 2011–2012 soon after the 2010 winter storms and another one was also done in 2014 as part of a follow-up survey. The focus of this chapter is to highlight the characteristics of the participants in this research, including demographics, such as gender, age, education, and occupation, which are outlined. Generally, more men than women were sampled (33 men and 22 women). The age range of interviewees was 26–90 years, with women commonly 45–54 and men with an older age range of 55–65 years old. Some traditional occupations for these communities are represented by fishers and farmers. Most of the participants resided at the coast all of their lives, with only a couple relocated there within the past 5 years at the time of interview.

Findings from Initial Interviews

The initial set of interviews took place soon after the winter storms, in December 2010 and January 2011. The elaboration of the scheme of interview was collectively executed with Coastal Community Challenges-Community-University Research Alliance (CCC-CURA) partners (researchers, municipalities, citizens, nongovernmental organizations or NGOs, etc.) and pretested in the Acadian Peninsula, with the participation of the Coastal Zones Research Institute Inc. (CZRI) and the Universite de Moncton, Shippagan Campus (New Brunswick) . Residents of rural coastal communities were interviewed in their native tongue (French or English). Based on semi-directed interviews held both singly and in couples, data analysis revealed several findings from the initial interviews that are relayed in this chapter. In particular, those affected by the 2010 winter storms in the Atlantic provinces (Quebec, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) of Canada reported experiences and impacts that were mainly associated with storm surge and flooding as well as high waves and coastal erosion. The impacts affected personal property as well as businesses and public infrastructure, including roads, graveyards, and bridges, influencing evacuation points and the emergency response. Even though most people lived at the coast most of their lives and this was not the only major storm that they had experienced, their responses mainly included emotional reactions (of fear, stress or worry, panic, powerlessness), especially for those who were cut off from the mainland. The elderlies were particularly fearful of having to leave their homes and/or communities and this is indicative of the importance of demographics affecting experiences and responses. Various stressors were expressed by people and panic set in when people realized the extreme damages. In some cases, participants expressed powerlessness. There was a tendency to forget past storms, potentially as a psychological coping mechanism.

Findings from Follow-up Interviews

The Coastal Community Challenges-Community-University Research Alliance (CCC-CURA) project was a longitudinal project that encompassed a second series of interviews in 2014 in order to determine whether there were changes over time in these communities that were related to awareness and actions to adaptation and resilience. The second interviews also examined the role that the CCC-CURA project played in enhancing resilience and governance in these studied communities. The results suggested that, in general, perceptions and attitudes toward extreme events did not really change over time. While, in general, people were more aware of the risks, this did not necessarily translate into action. In both provinces (Quebec and New Brunswick), people believed that governments were ready in case of emergency; however, communication for some remained a challenge. Contrary to the first interviews, most people understood resilience and believed that they were resilient. In terms of knowledge of the CCC-CURA project, few were involved and, therefore, benefited from the interventions. The second series of interviews have demonstrated the importance of sustained interventions in order to enhance resilience capacity in a community. Without continuous efforts, people tend to revert back to old habits and few changes occur.

Implications and Lessons Learned

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.

Adaptation to Coastal Storms in Atlantic Canada

Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Coastal Communities in Atlantic Canada -- Chapter 3. Background Research -- Chapter 4. Methodology -- Chapter 5. Findings from Initial Interviews -- Chapter 6. Findings from Follow-up Interviews -- Chapter 7. Implications and Lessons Learned -- Chapter 8. Conclusions.

The Participative Action Research Approach to Climate Change Adaptation in Atlantic Canadian Coastal Communities

Canada’s Atlantic coast has been increasingly affected by inundations and coastal erosion over time. Results presented here stem from participative research action (PRA) projects undertaken in several coastal communities in New-Brunswick and Quebec, using methods such as semi-directed interviews, focus groups, participant observation, public meetings, kitchen assemblies, collaborative mapping, Method of Evaluation by Group Facilitation (MEGF) or participative ranking. The PRA projects were found to deliver tangible short-term results as well as reinforcing the communities’ governance and adaptation capacity and resilience over the long term. The engagement of stakeholders, and the exchange of information between scientists and local actors, led to a better evaluation of vulnerabilities and adaptation options and permit in some cases the co-construction of new knowledge and the coproduction of priorities to build adaptation plans and tools with and for the communities. Thus, reflexive options such as sea walls were sometimes substituted by less costly and more targeted adaptation options, that are better suited to local circumstances and to the values and aspirations of the community. These solutions are more easily accepted within the community as well as by government authorities. However, not all projects led to immediate decision-making and especially the option of coastal retreat remains highly contentious and emotionally charged.

Motivation for the Viability of the Lobster Fishery: Case Study of the Acadian Coast of New Brunswick

The lobster fishing industry in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, and more specifically in the Acadian Coast of New Brunswick, has experienced some decline in the past decade. Although conservation measures have been implemented, the stocks may be at risk. In this chapter, we focus on the different aspects that should be integrated into any type of conservation management. This includes understanding the motivation of stakeholders, particularly fishermen, in what they would need to enhance the sustainability of this vital industry for Atlantic Canada. Here, we examine the need for a new approach that takes into consideration the development of the territory, the understanding of this social-ecological system, and the pressures of the industry on the lobster ecosystem. Through a conservation strategy that is socially acceptable for the stakeholders, it is predicted that fishing would be more suited to the environmental changes and therefore more resilient across its territory.

Engaging Local Communities for Climate Change Adaptation: A Case Study in Quebec, Canada

Participatory Action Research (PAR) is an innovative way to address environmental issues through inclusive governance and the development of solutions in partnership with and from a dialog among various actors and researchers. This chapter aims to examine the process used in a community to adapt to climate change considering the needs for greater resilience. The PAR approach was used in conjunction with a community resilience capacity-building tool to enhance the capacity of the targeted community to increase their resilience to climate change. From 2011 to 2014, the researchers of the project called Climate Change Challenges, a Community-University Research Alliance, worked with actors (public sector, economic sector, and civil society) of the community to fill this adaptation gap. Various public engagement techniques, such as the Method of Evaluation by Group Facilitation (MEGF), participative mapping, “kitchen assemblies,” focus group on climate changes issues, and individual interviews, were used to reinforce adaptive capacity and resilience. The results led to emergence of issues (territorial planning, awareness/education, and ecological safeguards), elaboration of a community resilience plan, a better understanding of risks and hazards with their distinct consequences, identification of adaptation solutions, and monitoring and evaluation of actions. The commitment of the researchers helped achieve high-quality results by bringing greater involvement of the different actors. With greater awareness of issues and changes in perceptions, this process may have long-lasting effects for this community. This can serve as an example to replicate in other communities.Participatory Action Research (PAR) is an innovative way to address environmental issues through inclusive governance and the development of solutions in partnership with and from a dialog among various actors and researchers. This chapter aims to examine the process used in a community to adapt to climate change considering the needs for greater resilience. The PAR approach was used in conjunction with a community resilience capacity-building tool to enhance the capacity of the targeted community to increase their resilience to climate change. From 2011 to 2014, the researchers of the project called Climate Change Challenges, a Community-University Research Alliance, worked with actors (public sector, economic sector, and civil society) of the community to fill this adaptation gap. Various public engagement techniques, such as the Method of Evaluation by Group Facilitation (MEGF), participative mapping, “kitchen assemblies,” focus group on climate changes issues, and individual interviews, were used to reinforce adaptive capacity and resilience. The results led to emergence of issues (territorial planning, awareness/education, and ecological safeguards), elaboration of a community resilience plan, a better understanding of risks and hazards with their distinct consequences, identification of adaptation solutions, and monitoring and evaluation of actions. The commitment of the researchers helped achieve high-quality results by bringing greater involvement of the different actors. With greater awareness of issues and changes in perceptions, this process may have long-lasting effects for this community. This can serve as an example to replicate in other communities.