Understanding the preferences of rural communities for adaptation to 21st - century sea - level

rise: A case study form the Samoan Islands

Sea Level Rise (SLR) is a major climate change risk that must not be ignored. Through the

smart move of Richard Nathan Crichton, Miguel Esteban, and Motoharu Onuki the safety of

Islanders is considered through a study entitled “Understanding the preferences of rural

communities for adaptation to 21st-century sea-level rise: A case study from the Samoan

Islands”. Approaching people with different statuses results in different adaptation preferences

however giving importance to time shall be the agreement point for Samoa people. As time

passes, SLR increases leaving them no choice but to relocate in exchange for their lives.

This paper explores the adaptation preferences of rural island communities that can be taken to

address the sea-level rise. This paper is utilized through a participatory action approach in the

form of a community workshop attended by three coastal communities in the northern part of

Savaii Island, namely: Lelepa, Fagamalo, and Satoaleapei. Within these three communities,

preferences among the chiefs (matai), women, youth, and others vary among the best-case

scenarios and worst-case scenarios. Rural coastal communities are perceived as lacking in

adaptive measures, but they are able to have existing resources that can encourage relocation as

an adaptation mechanism to address climate change.

The research was nicely conducted and written but there are some options that could be added

to it to create more understanding about the topic. In the introduction it says that small islands

are most vulnerable when it comes to coping with the impacts of climate change and natural

disasters but it did not give evidence to the statement. If it gave evidence about the statement it

would give the readers much more understanding on why such research is conducted. The other
one would be how the methodology lacked the use of interviews as an instrument to gather

data. It would be best if the authors gave questions aligned to the topic to the samples to have a

better view where to start introducing the said topics that are needed. These instruments would

also help the authors measure the knowledge obtained by the samples.

While the study offers valuable insights into rural communities' adaptation preferences, there

are avenues for further exploration and refinement. Strengthening the evidence base for the

vulnerability of small islands to climate change impacts would provide greater context for the

research. Additionally, incorporating interviews as a data-gathering instrument aligned with the

study's objectives could enhance understanding and measurement of participants' knowledge.

Moving forward, interdisciplinary approaches are essential for evaluating the socioeconomic

and environmental implications of SLR, guiding effective planning and adaptation efforts in

vulnerable coastal areas. Through proactive measures and inclusive decision-making processes,

rural coastal communities can navigate the challenges of SLR while leveraging existing

resources to build resilience for the future. The research uses different fields like environmental

science, sociology, and community involvement to grasp the complicated situation. By using

surveys, interviews, and workshops, the researchers collect information on what people in rural

areas think and prefer when it comes to adapting to climate change. The goal is to help

decision-makers better understand what works best for these communities and to emphasize the

importance of including their ideas in planning for the future. This study adds to what we know

about dealing with climate change and highlights how important it is to listen to local people

when making decisions.

For several reasons, including poverty, isolation from central planning agencies, and

remoteness, many rural coastal districts are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise. An

interdisciplinary approach to evaluating the socioeconomic and environmental implications of

sea level rise and associated dynamic feedback is crucial for better planning for future sea level

changes in these locations. The study conducts interviews with people from each area and asks

them about their strategies. Discussion provides insight and reasoning that articles and plans

often don’t, and these insights would be very useful when trying to get a better understanding

why these areas make the decisions they do.

The study was conducted to address one of the most pressing issues of this generation. As a

result of global warming, sea levels are rising, and millions of people will be impacted both

now and in the future. The study concentrated on the activities of Samoan Islanders in order to

provide a better look at how specific communities are handling this issue. Heads of households

in the community were encouraged to start building secondary homes inland for future

relocation. Participants from all groups came to the conclusion (despite opposition from

individuals already living inland) that future relocation is inevitable and preparation for it

should start, with secondary homes built inland (as some members of the communities have

already done). This suggestion was mainly promoted and expressed by the members of the

Chiefs’ group. Also, women and young people are included in discussions about future

adaptation. This will help to improve the adaptive mechanisms, particularly ecological

adaptation, to address immediate or future consequences.

Although it’s common to view rural coastal communities as having little ability to adapt to

climate change, they can make use of resources already in place, like land availability and

Officials should enlighten land managers, conservation planners, and the public about high-
priority and sensitive locations for conservation reasons. As a result, direct existing land

conservation programs to consider the use of conservation easements and other land

conservation initiatives as a means to protect key coastal areas vulnerable to sea-level rise and

to provide sufficient lands for wetland migration.

Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management

BS ACCTY 1-3

Fernandez, Donalene Faye

Antonio, Joyce Anne

Palogan, Loriefer

Deocares Zannipola

Cudia, Joshua Markhy