Integrating local perspectives into climate change decision making in rural areas of the Canadian prairies

The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodological approach to assist and prepare rural community members to make policy makers better aware of their information needs.

The methodological approach developed in this study both combines sequences of mapping presentations and small group discussions, based on ethnographic findings and climate change scenarios and also supports the integration of local and scientific knowledge in an effort to build upon local community members understanding of climate change. Participatory mapping sessions are designed and implemented in three rural communities of the Canadian prairies.

The application of the methodological approach developed in this study results in a set of rural community recommendations, relevant to policy makers, in an effort to ameliorate the potential future impacts of climate change at the local community level.

The need for developing venues capable of integrating the multiple dimensions (e.g. social, economic, biophysical); the multiple realities (e.g. rural community members, scientific community members); and the multiple modes of inquiry (e.g. qualitative, quantitative) involved in climate change vulnerability and adaptation.