Abstract
Sea level rise poses a great threat to coastal areas and our way of life. As flooding increases in frequency and intensity across the country, vulnerable populations become a target to its impacts. Hawaii, the Carolinas, and the Northern Gulf coasts are among the regions experiencing significant consequences from coastal flooding derived from chronic sea level rise. The U.S. dedicates much research to risk communication and climate change adaptation strategies; however, these coastal areas are home to a large percentage of underserved and underrepresented communities that can be challenging to meaningfully engage. The impacts of short-term rise combined with long-term rise will not only cause flooding, erosion, and intrusion of saltwater into freshwater resources but also, increased financial consequences such as higher poverty levels that damage livelihoods and coastal resources. There is a growing need to better understand how to effectively serve and communicate with these stakeholders and develop culturally-relevant and targeted resources to reach these communities. This work encompasses a synthesis of existing research in risk perception, behavior, and communication in five different communities in Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Hawaii. It also provides an overview of best risk communication practices with underserved and underrepresented communities’, barriers to risk communication, and the types of information needed to achieve meaningful engagement. Overall recommendations call for the use of bottom-top approaches that put community’s needs first, partnerships with community organizations, community empowerment, and the use of a holistic and systematic way that integrates scientific science and people’s needs and opinions.
