Apathy as resistance to climate change adaptation in coastal communities

Keywords: climate change, risk, local communities, apathy, uncertainty
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Even though coastal areas in the Mediterranean region are at increasing risk of flooding due to climate change, little is being done in small urban agglomerations. This research addresses the flooding risks of the Llobregat Delta area in the metropolitan region of Barcelona, and analyzes the lack of local response to two local climate adaptation plans elaborated under the European Union Covenant of Mayors Initiative on Adaptation to Climate Change. The paper argues that even though the area has a combination of key infrastructure (Barcelona’s airport and port), logistics, agricultural land, an ecological protected coastal area, and several urban areas, these plans have been ignored by key local political, economic, and social agents. Reasons include the contextual knowledge gaps in the elaboration of the plans; the fragmentation of agents and agendas in the territory; and the scientific and social inability to deal with uncertainty and negativity. The combination of these factors has developed a collective apathy to the risk posed by climate change.