Indigenous community health and climate change: integrating biophysical and social science indicators

Coastal Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

This article describes a pilot study evaluating the sensitivity of Indigenous community health to climate change impacts on Salish Sea shorelines (Washington State, United States and British Columbia, Canada). Current climate change assessments omit key community health concerns, which are vital to successful adaptation plans, particularly for Indigenous communities. Descriptive scaling techniques, employed in facilitated workshops with two Indigenous communities, tested the efficacy of ranking six key indicators of community health in relation to projected impacts to shellfish habitat and shoreline archaeological sites stemming from changes in the biophysical environment. Findings demonstrate that: when shellfish habitat and archaeological resources are impacted, so is Indigenous community health; not all community health indicators are equally impacted; and, the community health indicators of highest concern are not necessarily the same indicators most likely to be impacted. Based on the findings and feedback from community participants, exploratory trials were successful; Indigenous-specific health indicators may be useful to Indigenous communities who are assessing climate change sensitivities and creating adaptation plans.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Indigenous community health and climate change: integrating biophysical and social science indicators
Series title Coastal Management
DOI 10.1080/08920753.2014.923140
Volume 42
Issue 4
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Contributing office(s) Western Fisheries Research Center
Description 19 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Coastal Management
First page 355
Last page 373
Country Canada;United States
State British Columbia;Washington
Other Geospatial Salish Sea
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