This study systematically identifies, characterizes, and critically evaluates community-level climate change vulnerability assessments published over the last 25 years (n = 274). We find that while the field has advanced considerably in terms of conceptual framing and methodological approaches, key shortcomings remain in how vulnerability is being studied at the community-level. We argue that vulnerability research needs to more critically engage with the following: methods for evaluating future vulnerability, the relevance of vulnerability research for decision-making, interdependencies between social and ecological systems, attention to researcher / subject power dynamics, critical interpretation of key terms, and consideration of the potentially positive opportunities presented by a changing climate. Addressing these research needs is necessary for generating knowledge that supports climate-affected communities in navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada;Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Canada;Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Canada;Librarian for Geography, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
Recommended Citation:
Graham McDowell,James Ford,Julie Jones. Community-level climate change vulnerability research: trends, progress, and future directions[J]. Environmental Research Letters,2016-01-01,11(3)