Loss of Place [and Identity] Environmental Justice Implications of Global Climate Change

Planning and Policy Options associated with GCC Mitigation Mitigation Adaptation Adaptation False Choices?? False Choices?? Environmental Injustice and Disproportionality Environmental Injustice and Disproportionality

Environmental Injustice Approximately 15% (or about 94,000 miles of coastline) of the world’s coastline is found in the Oceanic countries and places of the Pacific (i.e., Samoa, Marshall Islands). Approximately 15% (or about 94,000 miles of coastline) of the world’s coastline is found in the Oceanic countries and places of the Pacific (i.e., Samoa, Marshall Islands). A one foot rise in sea level is associated with a foot loss of land (NOAA 2005). A one foot rise in sea level is associated with a foot loss of land (NOAA 2005). Source: UNEP 2007 (Photo by J. Ellison)

Disproportionate social costs The economic costs associated with GCC are real but are not limited to the tangible economic costs of property loss and adaptation. The economic costs associated with GCC are real but are not limited to the tangible economic costs of property loss and adaptation. Source: UNEP 2007 (Photos by E. Gilman)

The Lines of Defense against GCC Are Already Literally Eroding

Environmental Injustice For geographers and planners, the relationship between place and identity has long been useful in explaining policy options and decision-making processes associated with changes in environmental conditions (Mitchell 2001; Harvey 2000). For geographers and planners, the relationship between place and identity has long been useful in explaining policy options and decision-making processes associated with changes in environmental conditions (Mitchell 2001; Harvey 2000). But research is lacking in the complete loss of place and its impact on cultural identity. But research is lacking in the complete loss of place and its impact on cultural identity.

U.S. Marshal Islands (Source: NOAA)

Intensity of storms in the Pacific is on the rise (Source: Pinca et al 2005)

Photo by Peter McQuarrie 2004

Adaptation Strategies given Risks (Source: Woodroffe 2008)

Adaptation and Loss of Identity South end of Long Beach Island, NJ. South end of Long Beach Island, NJ. Adaptation to shoreline loss has been costly and has significantly changed the population dynamic. Adaptation to shoreline loss has been costly and has significantly changed the population dynamic. Source: Photo supplied by Barnegat Light Historical Society

Adaptation responses to severe weather events were significant E. Wuerker) Source: Barnegat Light Historical Society (Photo by E. Wuerker)

Source: Barnegat Light Historical Society (Photo by B. Kane)

Seawall construction and maintenance in Somoa Source: UNEP 2007 (Photo by E. Gilman)

Use of what for seawall construction??? Source: LA Times 2008 (Photo by G. Friedman)

Policy and planning implications As many nations and communities are already forced to chose to adapt to the effects of GCC, the concept of identity and place cannot be lost in the planning and policy decisions. As many nations and communities are already forced to chose to adapt to the effects of GCC, the concept of identity and place cannot be lost in the planning and policy decisions. Adaptation has significant cultural costs; but in the face of the alternative??? Adaptation has significant cultural costs; but in the face of the alternative???