overview
5.1.1
Introduction
The analysis and presentation in this section differs slightly from the previous scientific analysis method as most of the data presented are mainly qualitative data based on the comparative results and narratives from the mini-charrettes of the two islands, as well as the appraisal of the discussions which were video, recorded during both mini-charrettes processes.
As earlier stated in Section 3.1.2, the data were collected through a mini-charrette process where themes were identified for the participatory process in each island and constituted the focus of the discussion with regards to climate change. The second forum then provided supplementary data which included the comments from the general public on the on-line blog and the media coverage of the initial stages of the research. These observations are also included as part of the community perceptions and responses to the risks associated with coastal planning and accelerated SLR.
5.1.2
Chapter structure
Chapter four was dedicated to inundation extent due to SLR and the projected areas/assets at risk. This chapter is devoted to data collected from the mini- charrette process and the analysis of the community participation including their perceptions of climate change and especially SLR and their transformed readiness to act due to enhanced awareness created from the process. The chapter addresses the third and fourth research questions on the role of participation in scientific-based studies and the significance of participatory methods in influencing perceptions and empowering the concerned stakeholders/communities to act towards adaptation and mitigation interventions (strategies and their implementation).
The chapter also describes the areas, populations and activities that are important to the coastal community members who are at risk from accelerated SLR, the changes they are currently experiencing concerning climate change, the responses as well as ideas for improvement, communication, and knowledge sharing. The chapter also appraises the communities’ perceived steps towards adaptation as well as mitigation. A collective summary of the results is then provided followed by related sub-findings and conclusions in response to the third research question on status quo vulnerability and awareness and objective three on perceptions before and after enhancement of awareness.
5.1.3
Data overview and presentation
Mombasa and Lamu community participants in the mini-charrette were from two distinct communities. Lamu participants were primarily residents of Swahili settlements while most of Mombasa participants were a mixture of both local and international residents participating in business activities at the Kenyan coast. The participants’ communities fall under their respective counties and governed by a senator, governor and a county government. Further background details on these communities are provided in Table 4.2, Table 4.1 and Table 4.3.
The initial discussions took a general format of climate change impacts especially those unique to SLR and related awareness. Participants for the mini-charrette process were identified and selected as discussed in Section 3.4. After the general group discussions in the mini-charrette, a one-on-one video chat with team leaders on the subject of SLR was done and the proceedings were incorporated into the debates. An interview with the county planners for both the county of Mombasa and Lamu was done to ascertain their level of awareness and inclusion
of communities in climate change-related adaptation strategies and especially SLR. The oral discussions are reported in the chapter 5 and 6.
The sequence of data collected and the presentation/analysis done was in the following format;
• Climate change and SLR status quo awareness for Mombasa and Lamu island • Improved responses and adaptation to climate changes after mini-charrette • Post mini-charrette steps towards mitigation and co-produced adaptation
policies
• Conclusions
Community members who participated in both mini-charrettes had a good understanding of climate change. What the discussion identified was that the general atmospheric change aspects were part of life and to an extent, participants have been engaged in some forms of adaptations already such as the use of short season seeds to preserve agricultural productivity.
The data and description of variables
Instead of singly generating data content from the breakaway groups, data was initially made from the joint panel discussion (see appendix D) where the main question was the status of climate and its effects on the relationship with the participants. The solicited views from the general debate groups on the general effects of climate change at the coastal city was then divided into themes and classified under the most abundant item of the process as seen in Table 5.1. The classification of the topics was based on the link to the environmental resource (in this case the ocean) and how they related to it. These themes included the status quo on climate and tourism, fishing as a joint income earner for them, environmental challenges related to coastal environments as well as the social aspects that define their relationship with the ocean for their daily lives
The second phase was data extraction from both the breakaway groups and the general assembly. Data collected from the breakaway groups which included the assembly then discussed video recording and group work at the end of the day. The data analysis was also themed under specific climate-related themes which included the effects of SLR felt, the role of county governance (see for example Table 5.2 and Figure 5.1) and SLR related interventions. Besides the common effect of SLR, the
principal theme included their opinion on their relationship with how to improve adaptation and mitigation measures within their respective communities. This extraction of the data then facilitated the discussion on both the verbal and implied relationship between SLR, sea perturbations and community response mechanisms.
Figure 5.1: Data extraction and analysis based on thematic classification
5.1.4
General introduction to climate change and SLR
During the introductory meeting in Mombasa and Lamu, participants had initial discussions under guidance from the facilitator on the general issues affecting coastal communities that could be related to climate change (see appendix D page). The participants gave their views as summarised in Table 5.1. The general insight was that climate change is already affecting their normal lives. This could be related to the dwindling fish options as some species which were previously abundant have now become hardly available as well as the increased heat and tidal waves. The awareness of increased coastal disturbances was attributed to the frequent warnings from the meteorological department against going to the beaches because of stronger tides. The discussion initially explored the general climate change perceptions as identified during the early hours of the charrette, and then narrowed down to SLR and its possible impacts.
across all the aspects of SLR, especially the encroachment of coastal waters into neighbourhoods with tourist hotels in Lamu Island and Archipelago in general being one consistent example. Other factors that came up that are related to SLR included the disturbances caused by robust and high tides. During such seasons most activities at the beaches and coastline are halted. This includes transport and especially fishing activities which are mostly disrupted. The example in Lamu is presented in Figure 3.5 where the high tide flooded the single and main highway used for transportation activities. As identified by participants from this island, this trend is increasing especially during the April-May long rain season as well as September and October short rain season.