Presenters: Dr. Liette Vasseur, Brock University and Ms. Chantal Gagnon, Coalition-SGSL Workshop on Coastal communities’ resilience facing environmental and climate changes Salle 309 Université de Moncton, Campus de Shippagan Shippagan, NB June 15, 2012

Coalition-SGSL Outline Objective Introduction to the method – V2R Step by step activities Wrap-up

Coalition-SGSL Objective Help communities learn a simple method to help move forward regarding changes in their environment and become resilient. To improve resilience and/or to reduce vulnerability in coastal communities. Why is this important? Identifying vulnerabilities provides communities with the opportunity to plan to avoid or minimise the negative consequences of hazards (disasters). Conducting resilience assessments provides opportunities to highlight issues, needs and concerns and to work to effect change. Assessments are not an end in themselves.

Coalition-SGSL V2R: a framework Vulnerability to resilience Community-centered approach Recognizes the need to build the capacity of community members and institutions Tools for the activities – Presentation – Workbook and pens – Glossary – Facilitator per table

Coalition-SGSL V2R: a framework Definitions Vulnerability Resilience Coastal Risk Coastal Hazards Uncertainties Governance Adaptive Capacity

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance LivelihoodsResilience V2R: a framework Hazards and consequences

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance LivelihoodsResilience V2R: a framework Hazards and consequences

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance LivelihoodsResilience V2R: a framework Hazards and consequences

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance LivelihoodsResilience V2R: a framework Hazards and consequences

Coalition-SGSL V2R: a framework What is vulnerability? Vulnerability in essence is a measure of the propensity/susceptibility to suffer loss or damage. Vulnerability can be measured by degrees (more or less vulnerable). Time and scale matter – you may be vulnerable at different times in your life. Vulnerability is NOT a permanent state. Vulnerability can be in many areas: ecosystem, economy, social, status, health, etc. Vulnerability is NOT physical/material only.

Coalition-SGSL V2R: a framework What is resilience? Ability of a community or members or institutions to resist, absorb, cope and recover to the effects of hazards and to adapt in the long term (in a sustainable way). Property of the whole system and should include all components.

V2R: Step 1 –Vulnerability

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and consequences Livelihoods Resilience The integration of these elements enable you to assess your level of vulnerability and find where there are issues and needs to adapt, improve…

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and consequences LivelihoodsResilience Activity 1 - Hazards and Consequences

Coalition-SGSL Hazards: any possible events that can have a negative impact on people, infrastructure, ecosystems, communities… Risk: a degree of exposure to a hazard where there is a potential for loss. Consequences: impacts or consequences of hazards. Activity 1 - Hazards and Consequences

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Family highly exposed to a hazard on coast LivelihoodsResilience Activity 1 - Hazards and Consequences

Coalition-SGSL Workshop workbook – Activity #1: 15 minutes – Work in small groups – Use the scenario as a base for discussion – Use your experience and knowledge to inform discussion Activity 1 - Hazards and Consequences

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and consequences LivelihoodsResilience Activity 2 - Future Uncertainties

Coalition-SGSL Kids migrate to Shediac Governance Family highly exposed to a hazard on coast LivelihoodsResilience Activity 2 - Future Uncertainties

Coalition-SGSL Workshop workbook – Activity #2: 10 minutes – Work in small groups – Use the scenario as a base for discussion – Use your experience and knowledge to inform discussion Activity 2 - Future Uncertainties

Health Break

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertaintyGovernance Hazards and consequences LivelihoodsResilience Activity 3 - Governance

Coalition-SGSL Kids migrate to Shediac Elderly parents left by themselves Family highly exposed to a hazard on coast LivelihoodsResilience Activity 3 - Governance

Coalition-SGSL Workshop workbook – Activity #3: 15 minutes – Work in small groups – Use the scenario as a base for discussion – Use your experience and knowledge to inform discussion Activity 3 - Governance

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertaintyGovernance Hazards and consequences LivelihoodsResilience Activity 4 - Livelihood

Coalition-SGSL Kids migrate to Shediac Elderly parents left by themselves Family highly exposed to a hazard on coast Elderly and poor parents Resilience Activity 4 - Livelihood

Coalition-SGSL Workshop workbook – Activity #4: 15 minutes – Work in small groups – Use the scenario as a base for discussion – Use your experience and knowledge to inform discussion Activity 4 - Livelihood

V2R: Step 1 –Vulnerability Bring it all together

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and consequences Livelihoods Resilience

Coalition-SGSL Combination of skills, assets, networks and institutions, and policies that enable community to continually assess and improve with changing conditions. Figuring out whether or not you have the capacity to adapt will help you determine your vulnerability level. The purpose of figuring out the vulnerability level is to move towards actions that will strengthen your resilience. Adaptive Capacity

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and consequences LivelihoodsResilience Adaptive Capacity Disaster preparedness

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and consequences LivelihoodsResilience Adaptive Capacity E.g. climate change, globalization, resource overexploitation, environmental degradation, migration Long term trends

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertaintyGovernance Hazards and consequences LivelihoodsResilience Adaptive Capacity Enabling environment How people can access resources, skills, markets, support and act (not react) Can be decentralized, participatory, with linkages…

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertaintyGovernance Hazards and consequences LivelihoodsResilience Diversity and security Resources (skills, technologies, organizations) and activities to sustain healthy and sustainable people and communities Adaptive Capacity

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and consequences Livelihoods Resilience The integration of these components from a perspective of determining the capacity to adapt in each enables you to assess your level of vulnerability and find where there are issues and needs to adapt, improve… Adaptive Capacity

Coalition-SGSL Kids migrate to Shediac Elderly parents left by themselves Family highly exposed to a hazard on coast Elderly and poor parents Resilience Level of vulnerability These components show that as the couple ages and if the children leave, their level of vulnerability increases - unless local connections and resources are made available to them.

V2R: Step 2 – Resilience

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and stress LivelihoodsResilience Step 2, Activity 5 - Resilience

Coalition-SGSL In practice resilience is: Ability to manage risks: understand and reduce risks, strategies based on available skills and resources to face the risk, manage and recover in the short term. Ability to adapt over long term: pro-activity to maintain sustainable and healthy community. Ability to secure basic needs and maintain sustainable activities. Step 2, Activity 5 - Resilience

Coalition-SGSL What you need to determine and discuss – Community involvement – Information – Resources – Knowledge – Management Capacity – Support – Participation Step 2, Activity 5 - Resilience

Coalition-SGSL Kids migrate to Shediac Elderly parents left by themselves Family highly exposed to a hazard on coast Elderly and poor parents Resilience Moving to resilience These components show that as the couple ages and if the children leave, their level of vulnerability increases - unless local connections and resources are made available to them.

Coalition-SGSL - Has the community included in its disaster preparedness plan a scenario for its elderly population with no family around? - Does the elderly couple have access to information about coastal hazards and how to prepare for these? - Does the community have a simple procedure to explain what type of financial assistance is available for repairing damages caused by hazards? - Does the disaster preparedness plans include an understanding of how the elderly population may behave after a hazard severely damages their home? - Does the community have it is disaster preparedness plan a list of volunteers specifically assigned to helping elderly people cope with a hazard? - Are there grief counselors available in the region to provide psychological support to elderly residents impacted by a hazard? - Has the elderly population of the town been included in consultations that informed the disaster preparedness plan? Step 2, Activity 5 - Resilience

Coalition-SGSL Future uncertainty Governance Hazards and stress LivelihoodsResilience Step 2, Activity 5 - Resilience Ability to manage risks Ability to adapt to changes Ability to secure sustainable lives and activities (people, institutions and communities)

Coalition-SGSL Workshop workbook – Activity #5: 15 minutes – Work in small groups – Use the scenario as a base for discussion – Use your experience and knowledge to inform discussion Step 2, Activity 5 - Resilience

Coalition-SGSL Kids migrate to Shediac Elderly parents left by themselves Family highly exposed to a hazard on coast Elderly and poor parents Move to Shediac Moving to resilience These components show that as the couple ages and if the children leave, their level of vulnerability increases - unless local connections and resources are made available to them.

Coalition-SGSL Details to make the decision on what can be done first: – Social values – Economic choices – Timeliness – Environmental importance Resilience is dynamic. Step 2, Activity 5 - Resilience

Coalition-SGSL Taking it one step at a time Strengthening resilience is a puzzle. Start with a simple method. Get others to help you. Keep an open mind – things change. Stay flexible – multiple solutions. Choose a consensus approach to setting priorities.

Coalition-SGSL References Nelson, D.R., W.N. Adger and K. Brown Adaptation to environmental change: contributions of a resilience framework. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resourc. 32: Pasteur, K From vulnerability to resilience. A framework for analysis and action to build community resilience. Practical Action Publishing, Warwickshire, OK. 113 pages. Buckle, Marsh & Smale, May 2001, Assessing Resilience & Vulnerability: Principles, Strategies & Actions.

Coalition-SGSL Thank you! Ville de Shippagan Coastal Communities Challenges – CURA Government of Canada