Adaptive capacity in Pacific Islands: responding to coastal and climatic change in Nagigi village, Fiji

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Authors

Celia McMichael , Merewalesi Yee, Gillian Cornish, CSIRO, Alisi Lutu, Karen E McNamara

Abstract

Coastal communities across the Pacific are increasingly recognized as places of priority for climate adaptation. Pacific Island communities are developing and using strategies to adapt their lives and livelihoods to climatic and environmental risks. Highlighting the case study of Nagigi village, Fiji, we identify adaptation responses to multiple environmental and socio-economic pressures including changing social structures, food insecurity, coastal erosion, extreme weather events and COVID-19. Through a decolonised qualitative methodology, and building on conceptual frameworks of adaptative capacity, we examine six dimensions that shape local adaptive capacity in Nagigi: local assets and resources; experiential and communicated knowledge of socioecological change; social organization; agency and capacity to act (particularly among women); diversity of adaptation options; and Pacific worldviews and values including communal values, commitment to Vanua, and stewardship of local resources. This paper offers insights into how community members understand and respond to multiple pressures, highlighting key dimensions of adaptive capacity. It challenges discourses that focus excessively on the ‘vulnerability’ of Pacific Islanders by highlighting local adaptation to changing socio-ecological and climatic circumstances.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31223/X53Q6V

Subjects

Geography

Keywords

adaptation, climate change, food security, Livelihoods, Retreat

Dates

Published: 2024-10-02 09:37

Last Updated: 2024-10-02 16:37

License

CC BY Attribution 4.0 International

Additional Metadata

Data Availability (Reason not available):
We are unable to upload our dataset due to human research ethics restrictions these restrictions indicate that interview transcripts will only be viewed by the research team.

Conflict of interest statement:
n/a