Les apprentissages sur l'aménagement côtier dans deux territoires côtiers du littoral acadien du Nouveau-Brunswick vulnérables à l'érosion et aux inondations

• Main Authors: Omer Chouinard, Tiavina Rabeniaina, Sebastian Weissenberger
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Université des Antilles 2013-12-01
• Series: Études Caribéennes
• Subjects: coastal zone; community; governance; planning; climate change
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/etudescaribeennes/6663

As in other parts of the world, population growth and coastal planning on New Brunswick’s Acadian coastline are contributing to greater vulnerability and deterioration of the natural environment. The rise in sea level and the effects of climate change make the coasts of New Brunswick extremely sensitive, leading to impacts that are increasingly larger. Thus, adaptation to climate change is a major challenge for the province.Here, we describe the results of a comparative study of the experiences and coping strategies of two coastal communities: Cocagne – Grande-Digue and Beaubassin East – Cap-Pelé. Both these territories attract tourism and real estate investors. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used to obtain information on the following topics: the experience of environmental change, adaptation measures initiated individually or collectively, reactions and future needs. Results of the study highlight the entrenchment of economic and societal aspects of environmental issues and the role of representations and stakeholders that determine the level of mobilization. Finally, the project emphasizes the importance of coordination between the different levels of governance.