Tropical cyclone perceptions, impacts and adaptation in the Southwest Pacific: an urban perspective from Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga
The destruction caused by tropical cyclone (TC) Pam in March 2015 is considered one of the worst natural disasters in the history of Vanuatu. It has highlighted the need for a better understanding of TC impacts and adaptation in the Southwest Pacific (SWP) region. Therefore, the key aims of this stu...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-05-01
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| Series: | Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences |
| Online Access: | http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/16/1091/2016/nhess-16-1091-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | The destruction caused by tropical cyclone (TC) Pam in March 2015 is considered one of the
worst natural disasters in the history of Vanuatu. It has highlighted the
need for a better understanding of TC impacts and adaptation in the Southwest
Pacific (SWP) region. Therefore, the key aims of this study are to (i) understand
local perceptions of TC activity, (ii) investigate impacts of TC
activity and (iii) uncover adaptation strategies used to offset the impacts
of TCs. To address these aims, a survey (with 130 participants from urban
areas) was conducted across three SWP small island states (SISs): Fiji,
Vanuatu and Tonga (FVT). It was found that respondents generally had a high
level of risk perception and awareness of TCs and the associated physical
impacts, but lacked an understanding of the underlying weather conditions.
Responses highlighted that current methods of adaptation generally occur at
the local level, immediately prior to a TC event (preparation of property,
gathering of food, finding a safe place to shelter). However higher level
adaptation measures (such as the modification to building structures) may
reduce vulnerability further. Finally, we discuss the potential of utilising
weather-related traditional knowledge and non-traditional knowledge of
empirical and climate-model-based weather forecasts to improve TC outlooks,
which would ultimately reduce vulnerability and increase adaptive capacity.
Importantly, lessons learned from this study may result in the modification
and/or development of existing adaptation strategies. |
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| ISSN: | 1561-8633 1684-9981 |