Yarmouth: A Case Study in Climate Change Adaptation: Part 2 – Section 5 - Social Vulnerability to Climate Change in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia | Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association

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Author(s)/Creator(s): Patricia Manuel Eric Rapaport Michaela Cochran
Date Issued: 2012-05-01
Publisher: Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association (ACASA)
Description: Researchers have observed that, throughout both the developing and developed world, the impacts of natural hazards are unequal: the most severe consequences are on underprivileged people and areas. This observation has emphasized the importance of social vulnerability to climate change. An important component of research on social vulnerability to climate change is the development of methods for measuring the geographic distribution of social vulnerability, through the use of an index. An index of social vulnerability measures the prevalence of various indicators of social vulnerability in different geographic areas. The purpose of such an index is to identify the most socially vulnerable areas, so that efforts related to adaptation, emergency management, and disaster relief may be directed to those areas. Areas of greater social vulnerability will experience more severe consequences from a natural hazard than those of lesser socially vulnerability even if they have the same physical exposure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate social vulnerability to climate change impacts in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The study assesses the prevalence of characteristics that contribute to the social vulnerability of individuals and households, using data aggregated at the Statistics Canada dissemination area level. It generates an index of social vulnerability that can also have application in Nova Scotia, generally, and proceeds to map the index to visually represent the distribution of .residential areas and populations in Yarmouth with high levels of social vulnerability. This assessment will allow the Town and District of Yarmouth to identify areas most at need of assistance, particularly in focusing adaptation and emergency management planning on high-risk populations and areas. It will also serve as an example for other Nova Scotia municipalities.
Type of Document: case study
Language(s) of Resource: English
Keywords: community based adaptation
Province: Nova Scotia
City/Town: Yarmouth

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Yarmouth: A Case Study in Climate Change Adaptation: Part 2 – Section 5 - Social Vulnerability to Climate Change in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

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