- Title
- Climate change threats and adaptation responses in small island developing states: a comparative analysis of Antigua & Barbuda and Vanuatu
- Creator
- Blair, Adelle Anelta Camelita
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2018
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- The economies of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) heavily depend on coastal and other natural resources. These natural resources are being impacted by climate variability and change which threaten their food security and ability to achieve growth and economic development. Island nations within the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean are some of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. The aim of this study is to examine climate change impacts on and the resulting adaptation responses in Antigua & Barbuda and Vanuatu. Research on SIDS is lacking as well as studies which compare farmers, fishers and hoteliers. Data were collected from four islands: Antigua, Barbuda, Efate and Epi with the use of questionnaires, focus group discussions, nominal group interviews and structured interviews. Archival data were used in the evaluation of donor-funded adaptation projects. Key government agencies with responsibility for natural resource management also participated in the study. The study found that most farmers, fishers and hoteliers knew of climate change. Their perception was influenced by their residential location, level of education, sex and age. Whilst the process of mainstreaming of climate change considerations into development policies and plans had started in Vanuatu, this was not the case in Antigua & Barbuda. The greatest barriers to mainstreaming were the lack of financial and technical resources. Most donor-funded projects both countries received addressed capacity building, providing very little tangible adaptation actions. These findings mean that these countries still have a long way to go in building their resilience to the impacts of climate variability and change. Donor-funding cannot be the only strategy relied on to finance adaptation activities. These countries must therefore better manage their environmental and financial resources to respond to the perceived impacts of climate change.
- Subject
- climate change; variability; Antigua and Barbuda; Vanuatu; adaptation
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1355337
- Identifier
- uon:31447
- Rights
- Copyright 2018 Adelle Anelta Camelita Blair
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 131 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |