| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The Skeena Community Adaptation Project (SCAP) is a joint venture between the University of British Columbia, Coast Tsimshian Resources, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, University of Victoria, BC Ministry of Environment, Environment Canada, World Wildlife Fund, ESSA Technologies Ltd., Cortex Consultants Ltd., Brinkman Forest Ltd., and BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. The goal of this project is to combine biophysical modelling, sociology and community engagement in a shared learning approach to build regional adaptive response capacity. Social science researchers from the University of British Columbia were charged with the task of examining current community issues related to natural resources and the environment, collective understandings of environmental change, relationships with the resources important for community well-being, and the ability of communities and local institutions to respond and adapt to future challenges. The purpose of the sociological study was to provide a basis of social context for scientific modellers and external researchers. The information contained in this report is provided to support the rest of SCAP research team by placing scientific studies within the context of observations of the localized changes, relationships between residents and the environment, and relationships between various key groups and institutions. This serves the overall purpose of strengthening the relationship between the community and agencies that produce scientific knowledge about the environment and the local resource base. The study region included the municipalities of Terrace and Prince Rupert, and the First Nations community of Lax Kw 'alaams (Port Simpson). Fifty people were interviewed in each community, with a focus on persons involved in resource management, community leadership and development, and forestry and other natural resource industries. The responses contained in this report are derived from a purposive sample that is intended to explore and present the opinions, perspectives, and understandings of community members that occupy key positions in the community in order to better understand how scientific knowledge and specialized tools may be used for planning around resource use and potential future scenarios. This report summarizes data collected by the sociology team in Terrace. Respondents included town councillors, business owners, educators, workers, and members of local non-governmental organizations. Each respondent participated in a semi-structured interview lasting between one and two hours, answering questions regarding various topics that included: _ Identification of key community and natural resource issues. _ Assessment of the impact of climate change on natural resources and the community. _ The adequacy of information on climate change and the environment. _ Their job and its relationship to environmental and natural resource issues. _ The relationships between their organization and other groups, institutions, and communities. _ The ability of the community to cope with climate change. _ Their vision of the community’s future. Respondents also filled out a set of charts (matrices) that assessed their opinions on the condition of natural resources and community resources, changes in the condition of the resources, the importance of the resources to community well-being, and the importance and influence of key factors of change in shaping community futures. Section Two of this report outlines the general characteristics of the respondents contributing to this study. Respondents were asked about their natural resource usage, and their history of living and working in the area in order to provide a background to the perspectives they brought to the interviews. Section Three examines what is valued within the community and the main issues facing the community today. This information is reviewed to determine which resources are most important to the community and how these resources may have changed over the past 20 years. The findings provide a general sense of change in the community and the environment, the direction of such changes, and direct assessments of specific natural and community resources. Section Four explores understandings of potential linkages between climate change and the key issues that define life in the community. Perceptions of change are explored in more detail, and the role of climate change is highlighted and placed into context with other forces that may influence the current and future shape of the community and region. Section Five of the report focuses specifically on climate change, and the sources of information that shape localized understandings of this issue. Attention is paid to the perceived trustworthiness of scientific information and other sources, and the adequacy and applicability of climate change information to the local area. These findings assist in understanding the context of potential working relationships between members of the scientific team and the community, and help identify specific issues and resources about which more information and research is desired. Section Six explores competing visions for the future of the community, and examines the various pathways that local leaders and resource leaders see for the community in future years. This section explores both critical and optimistic assessments of community futures, as well as ideas about the courses of action that should be taken by community leaders. Section Seven looks at local institutions and organizations, and their individual and collective abilities to deal with the potential impacts of climate change and other environmental challenges. This section examines institutional arrangements and perceptions of organizational efficacy. Information is presented regarding the ability of local agencies to deal with key natural resource and environmental issues, and the relationships and arrangements that either enable them to act or present obstacles to their progress in dealing with current challenges and their ability to move towards their visions of their community in the future. |
