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8.2 LINKING LOCAL AND SCIENTIFIC
KNOWLEDGE FOR ADAPTATION
TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN SIDS
‘Integrating scientific and traditional knowledge to reduce
community vulnerability’ is an Ecosystem-based Adapta-
tion (EbA) project to enhance resilience of local communi-
ties in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to adverse
climate change effects. The project’s methodology merges
time-honoured local knowledge and practice with the lat-
est scientific research to determine appropriate and sus-
tainable solutions. This project is part of the Many Strong
Voices (MSV) programme (see below) which links Arctic
and SIDS communities to address climate change. The
lessons learned here will be shared with Arctic and SIDS
communities in the MSV network.
The initial phase involves pilot programmes in Central
America (Belize) and the Indian Ocean (Seychelles) to
gather baseline data, consolidate existing methodologies
for linking local and scientific knowledge, conduct field-
work in collaboration with local communities, develop
a toolkit, analyse preliminary results and prepare initial
policy recommendations, and ensure outreach to regional
stakeholders. To date, one peer-reviewed article related to
the project has been published in Sustainability (August
2012) focusing on EbA in the Caribbean. A second paper
focusing on EbA in the AIMS Region66 is under develop-
ment.67
Site visits and potential partner meetings were held in
Belize in late 2012, in collaboration with the Caribbean
Community Climate Change Centre, and in the Seychelles
in February-March 2013, coordinated by the Seychelles
Ministry of Environment. A pilot phase methodology has
been agreed upon in principle but fieldwork in both coun-
tries has been postponed to 2014 due to capacity short-
comings among local partners. Other follow-on activities
have also been delayed as a result. GRID-Arendal is trying
to address this issue by seeking additional funding which
will help local organizations start implementation. Noti-
fications on new funding applications are expected from
March 2014.
66. Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea
67.
By the end of 2012, the reindeer herders and their pastures were included into a newly designated protected area, the Tengis-Shishged River
Basin National Park.