Understanding climate change adaptation and adaptive capacity : Étude de l'adaptation et de la capacité d'adaptation aux changements climatiques : rapport de synthèse

The workshop also included discussion of the relevant processes and barriers to adaptation and adaptive capacity identified in the commissioned projects. [...] Two important themes emerged from the research: the differential or contextual character of climate change impact and adaptation at the local, sectoral, and group levels; and the necessity for making climate change relevant to the local, sectoral, and group levels. [...] An example of a maladaptation came from the James Smith First Nation where a dramatic die-off of cattle led to the collapse of the economic base in the community and the introduction of the welfare system. [...] The research revealed problems in the acceptance and feasibility of some proposed protection measures and offered recommendations to promote the effectiveness of the communication (Gosselin et al., 2008). [...] Research in the agricultural sector also identified stakeholder concerns regarding the lack of vision, both in terms of agriculture and climate change, and the slow implementation of existing policies and programs (Bryant et al., 2008).