Speaker
Description
Rural coastal communities are highly dependent on natural resources, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This is especially evident in the Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA), a hotspot for accelerated climate impacts, including rising sea levels, coastal and inland flooding, and groundwater salinization. These environmental pressures threaten local agriculture, infrastructure, and community livelihoods, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Exacerbating these issues are social and geographical isolation, limited access to scientific information, and the fragmented nature of local decision-making, which often prioritizes short-term solutions over sustainable, equitable adaptation strategies.
To address these challenges, the ESVA Climate Equity Project, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Coastline and People (CoPe) program, has developed a participatory engagement framework that integrates local knowledge with scientific research to build community-driven climate resilience strategies.
Community engagement is foundational to this work, with activities designed to center diverse voices, particularly those from historically underserved populations. A 12-member Community Advisory Committee (CAC), inclusive of local leaders, guides the project. Broader outreach strategies—such as workshops, interviews, and focus groups—ensure inclusive participation, amplifying community concerns and integrating lived experiences into tool development. These efforts have deepened local understanding of climate risks and fostered trust, enabling effective collaboration between stakeholders.
This paper explores the outcomes of the ESVA Climate Equity Workshops and institutional stakeholder interviews. The workshops adopt an open-house format to foster dialogue between the scientific community and local stakeholders. With participation from 60-80 community members per event, the workshops cover critical topics such as sea-level rise, septic system management, and the regional climate timeline. A key outcome has been the identification of community desires for deeper, more sustained conversations about climate solutions. By employing interactive tools and tailored presentations, the workshops serve as a platform for amplifying diverse voices and addressing localized climate impacts. The institutional interviews with community organizations and service providers highlight their perspectives on the challenges, needs, and opportunities associated with climate equity and resilience. These insights provide a detailed look at the region’s climate priorities, including water management, sea-level rise, housing, infrastructure, public health, and more.
Key findings reveal that collaborative engagement not only improves the community’s understanding of climate risks but also enhances trust and collective action. The participatory model underscores the importance of integrating environmental justice principles with innovative urban planning solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts.
This paper contributes to the discussion on addressing the planetary crisis at the local level, with a specific focus on environmental justice and inclusive urban policies. By sharing lessons from the ESVA Climate Equity Project, this study aims to inform and inspire similar initiatives in other vulnerable coastal communities. The results emphasize the potential for community engagement to drive equitable and climate-resilient urban development, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable and inclusive urban transformation.
References
Bhattachan, A., M.D. Jurjonas, A.C. Moody, P.R. Morris, G.M. Sanchez, L.S. Smart, P.J. Taillie, R. E. Emanuel, and E.L. Seekamp. 2018. Sea level rise impacts on rural coastal social-ecological systems and the implications for decision making. Environmental science & policy 90:122134
Bhattachan, Abinash, M. D. Jurjonas, Anna Cickey Moody, Priscilla R. Morris, Georgina M. Sanchez, Lindsey S. Smart, Paul J. Taillie, R. E. Emanuel, and E. L. Seekamp. (2018). Sea level rise impacts on rural coastal social-ecological systems and the implications for decision making. Environmental science & policy, 90, 122-134.
| Keywords | climate equity; community engagement; rural coastal communities |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
