Climate change is one of society's greatest contemporary challenges. Increasing global temperatures leave coastal locations in particular, vulnerable to impacts that include rising sea levels and more extreme and variable weather events. Stress can be acute for small coastal communities located in the Circumpolar North, where a lack of capacity and awareness along with institutional constraints, can exacerbate vulnerability. Given that continued climate change is inevitable regardless of the extent of mitigative action, adaptation is a necessity. In northern regions, there is evidence that adaptation planning is occurring in response to observed climate stressors, with structural (or hard) adaptation approaches prevalent across the sensitive coastline. However, structural adaptations are often associated with several drawbacks and may not be suitable, particularly in a region that is facing rapid rates of warming, enhanced exposures, and significant environmental and socioeconomic constraints. To enhance resilience, small northern coastal communities should adopt a diversified portfolio of adaptations that incorporate more sustainable non-structural and ecosystem-based (or soft) adaptation approaches.
Bonnett, N; Birchall, SJ
Coastal communities in the Circumpolar North and the need for sustainable climate adaptation approaches
Marine Policy