Coastal ties, identity, and climate change adaptation preferences

Abstract

This study investigates public preferences for implementing Climate Change (CC) adaptation measures along the Galician coast, with a focus on key cultural and provisioning Ecosystem Services (ES). The environmental threats considered include impacts on seawater quality, jellyfish presence on beaches, and overall impacts on marine ecosystem productivity. This study explores differences in preferences between individuals living in coastal versus inland areas. Data were collected through an online survey, featuring a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) and additional CC-related perception scales. Findings indicate that a higher sense of local identity and identification with the coast leads to a greater willingness to support environmental initiatives, suggesting that a sense of identity may influence pro-environmental attitudes.

Este estudo investiga as preferencias da cidadanía respecto á implementación de medidas de adaptación ao cambio climático (CC) ao longo da costa galega, centrándose nos servizos ecosistémicos (SE) culturais e de aprovisionamento crave. As ameazas medioambientais consideradas inclúen os impactos na calidade da auga de mar, a presenza de medusas nas praias e os impactos xerais na produtividade do ecosistema mariño. Este estudo explora as diferenzas nas preferencias entre as persoas que viven en zonas costeiras e as que viven en zonas do interior. Os datos recompiláronse mediante unha enquisa en liña, que incluía un experimento de elección discreta (DCE) e escalas de percepción adicionais relacionadas co CC. Os resultados indican que un maior sentido de identidade local e de identificación coa costa conduce a unha maior disposición a apoiar iniciativas medioambientais, o que suxire que o sentido de identidade pode influír nas actitudes favorables ao medio ambiente.