Understanding Climate Adaptation Cultures in Global Context: Proposal for an Explanatory Framework
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Insights from Empirical Studies
2.1. Study 1: European Coastal Areas
2.1.1. Theoretical Approach: Climate Cultures and Values-Beliefs-Identities Explanatory-Framework
- Values: Values are “conception(s, TH) (…) of the desirable” [27]. The “values-based approach” [20] of climate adaptation suggests that values are of relevance for explaining climate-cultural differences in climate-change perception and adaption. In adaptation discourse, different conceptions are considered ranging from conservation, openness to change, safety, altruism [20,28,29], postmaterialism, [30,31] to individual vs. community orientation [32,33,34]. The study makes use of the value-approach of Shalom Schwartz [29], as this covers many of the concepts that are discussed for climate adaptation (e.g., openness to change, conservation, self-orientation, and altruism).
- Beliefs: Individual and collective ideas about the state of world [35] are also considered for explaining differences in climate adaptation. The role, especially of ecological worldviews, was discussed, in particular the ideas concerning human environment relationships [22,34,36,37,38]. The study makes use of the Human Exceptionalism vs. New Ecological Paradigm [5,6]. The Human Exceptionalism Paradigm (HEP) implies an anthropocentric worldview, where humans hold a superior position in nature. The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) denies this perspective and claims that humans are not exceptional vis-à-vis other creatures [6].
- Identities: In climate-change related research attention has been focused especially on places in which identity concepts are discussed [25,26,39,40]. The core idea is that places can be of relevance for the self-definition of individuals and groups. As climate adaptation is related to changing place conditions or even losing land to water, place-related identities can explain, for example, why retreat or accommodation strategies are preferred or not for flood prevention. Consequently, the study uses the concept of place identity to explain climate-change related perception and action differences.
2.1.2. Methods
2.1.3. Results: Climate Adaptation Cultures and Explanations for Differences
2.1.4. Outlook: Blind Spots of the Knowledge-Oriented Approach
2.2. Study 2: Bangladesh Coastal Areas
2.2.1. Theoretical Framework: “State-and-transition” Model as Analytical Approach
2.2.2. Methods
2.2.3. Results: Socio-Ecological and Institutional Relevance for Adaptation
2.2.4. Outlook: Blind Spots of “Socio-Ecological and Institutional” Approach
3. Importance of Integration
4. Proposal for an Enhanced Explanatory Framework of “Climate Adaptation Cultures”
- The cultural context of adaptation refers to the VBI model [1] and shows the differences in orders of knowledge.
- The socio-ecological context includes the natural and built environment, social and economic resources reflecting vulnerability, and resilience constructions via state-and-transition model [2].
- The institutional context implies the policies and governance mechanism of relevant institutions which determine existing planning processes for climate adaptation [2].
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Heimann, T.; Mallick, B. Understanding Climate Adaptation Cultures in Global Context: Proposal for an Explanatory Framework. Climate 2016, 4, 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli4040059
Heimann T, Mallick B. Understanding Climate Adaptation Cultures in Global Context: Proposal for an Explanatory Framework. Climate. 2016; 4(4):59. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli4040059
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeimann, Thorsten, and Bishawjit Mallick. 2016. "Understanding Climate Adaptation Cultures in Global Context: Proposal for an Explanatory Framework" Climate 4, no. 4: 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli4040059