Measuring social vulnerability and adaptive capacity to climate change in Dominican Republic coastal communities

Abstract

People’s capacity to adapt to shifting and emerging climate conditions is one of the most important characteristics to consider when addressing climate risks. This study explores the vulnerability and adaptive capacity to changing climate conditions of individuals in various sectors of employment in three coastal communities of the Dominican Republic. Participants included individuals who directly use marine resources for their occupation and those who do not. Specific research questions in this study are: What are the factors related to adaptive capacity in coastal communities of the Dominican Republic? Do these factors vary between direct resource users and non-­direct resource users? Do these factors vary amongst individuals who do and do not share household responsibility for income?