The future we want: Taking action in Ban Talae Nok for the community, the environment and climate change
Date
2014
Authors
Bennett, Nathan
Kadfak, Alin
Dearden, Philip
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Marine Protected Areas Research Group, University of Victoria
Abstract
Coastal fishing communities everywhere in the world are experiencing significant environmental and social changes. In many places, the health and productivity of the marine environment is threatened by overfishing, coastal development, and pollution. Fisheries are often in decline. The climate is changing – bringing rising sea levels, warmer temperatures, changing seasons and rainfall patterns, and more severe storms. These environmental changes bring about changes in livelihoods, quality of life and customs. Communities are also subject to the whims of global economies, national politics and demographics. Broader environmental, political and economic changes can also lead to new policies and programs that impact communities. Change is constant. Whatever the root cause of change, communities have no choice but to adapt. The manner in which adaptation occurs can be proactive or reactive and results can be beneficial or detrimental. In July 2013, our research team conducted community-based scenario planning workshops in two coastal fishing villages on the Andaman coast of Thailand. Scenario planning is a group visioning process that is used to explore solutions to a central issue or question. The central question of this workshop was: “How can coastal communities achieve good outcomes for community development and the environment in a changing climate?” The workshop consisted of four stages over two days and participatory activities were used to: investigate the types of social and environmental changes that are being experienced in Ban Talae Nok from the perspective of local community members, to explore the hopes and dreams of local community members for the future of their community and the local environment, and to propose and prioritize actions that will help the community to adapt to these changes.
Description
Keywords
scenario planning, community-based research, visioning, participatory drawing, marine conservation, climate change, environmental change, social change, social-ecological change, coastal communities, marine ecosystems, Andaman Coast, Thailand, Ban Talae Nok
Citation
Bennett, N. J., Kadfak, A. & Dearden, P. (2014). The Future We Want: Taking Action in Ban Talae Nok for the Community, the Environment and Climate Change. Victoria, BC: Marine Protected Areas Research Group, University of Victoria. 22 p.