Author : Keren P. Bolter
Release : 2014
Genre : Climatic changes
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : /5 ( reviews)
Book Synopsis Perceived Risk Versus Actual Risk to Sea-level Rise by : Keren P. Bolter
Download or read book Perceived Risk Versus Actual Risk to Sea-level Rise written by Keren P. Bolter. This book was released on 2014. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Global climate change stressors downscale to specific local vulnerabilities, requiring customized adaptation strategies. Southeast Florida has a high likelihood of sea-level rise impact to due to the low-lying porous limestone geology. High risk is coupled with high exposure due to high-valued coastal properties, productive ecosystems, and dense populations. Coastal populations are particularly at risk due to erosion, inundation and storm surge, but interior populations are also susceptible to rising water tables and extended periods of inundation. All of these impacts are amplified by sea-level rise. Robust sea-level rise adaptation options require significant economic costs. If perceived risk does not adequately line up with actual risk, lack of funds and preparation will prevent implementation of the most effective strategies. This study aimed to compare perceived risk to actual risk to sea-level rise in residential areas of Broward County, Florida. Perceived risk of residents was measured via an online survey and subsequently layered over actual risk in terms of flooding, storm surge, and loss of property. Using GIS, a composite vulnerability index was constructed for the actual risk and paralleled to survey responses. A spatial and statistical analysis identified the key factors influencing perceived risk. Results characterize the accuracy of risk perception in Broward County by determining if individual respondents overestimate, underestimate, or correctly estimate risks from each impact. Other distinct concerns of residents, voiced through open-response question, were evaluated qualitatively. Results suggest that perceived vulnerability is misaligned with actual vulnerability to the sea-level rise impacts explored here. Spatial patterns show that moving from north to south in the county, a shift from low to high-risk parallels a shift from overestimating to underestimating risk of property loss and storm surge. For groundwater flooding, a similar shift occurs, but the trend from overestimating to underestimating risk moves from east to west. Many concerns of residents were financial, but most related to personal experience. There are many opportunities for resilience that require communication, preparation and adaptation. Results show that effective risk communication should be tailored to the audience, and it is first and foremost to direct outreach towards low income populations in southeastern Broward County.