Using maps to visualise climate change adaptation together

Valuing, visualising and acting on local knowledge and lived experience of climate change alongside scientific data and evidence can be a powerful tool to help us adapt to our changing climate. As part of the Climate Beacon partnership, the Climate Change Working Group ran a community engagement pilot in North Uist, Berneray and Benbecula in July and August 2021. The pilot activities used interactive maps to gather local knowledge and lived experience of climate hazards to explore what communities feel is important to protect in a changing climate and identify possible local adaptation priorities. Activities included:

· In-person community climate hazard mapping workshops in Carinish Hall

· Online focus group discussions with members of North Uist Development Company

· Online meetings to trial and sense-check the developing maps with Climate Beacon partners from Western Isles libraries, Taigh Chearsabhagh and An Lanntair

· An online consolidation and recommendations workshop open to all previous attendees

· A climate adaptation and hazard mapping display with Western Isles libraries at Liniclate library.

The results of the pilot have contributed to a combined ArcGIS map allowing scientific data and evidence to be presented alongside local knowledge and lived experience of climate hazards and impacts. The Climate Change Working Group contributed data sets on flooding, drainage, coastal erosion, preparedness, natural resources, and community assets/infrastructure, which were added as layers to the map alongside community perspectives.

The Climate Change Working Group aim to repeat this mapping process across other islands of the Outer Hebrides. These maps can then become evidence-based tools to assist further engagement, prioritise key climate risks and support the identification of specific adaptation recommendations and actions.

Mapping software coming soon to the Làn Thìde website!