Bottom-up perspectives on “climate adaptation” from “vulnerable” coastal communities: a political ecology perspective from Taiwan

The global climate crisis severely affects coastal communities worldwide. Not only do coastal communities have to cope with the effects of the climate crisis, such as sea-level rise, increased flooding, changing weather patterns, droughts and increased salinisation, they also have to cope with other non-climate related shocks and stresses. Many studies often focus on the “climate adaptation” processes of these “vulnerable” communities in linear and cause-and-effects ways. This study approaches the concept of climate adaptation and vulnerability from a political ecology perspective in the context of coastal Taiwan–a region heavily affected by climate change. Through in-depth interviews, this study argues that households have developed various strategies to adapt not only to environmental changes (e.g. increased cold spells and flooding) but also to top-down flood hazard mitigation planning and infrastructure, changing demographics, and encroaching solar panel companies (for the “greater good of the nation”). Furthermore, decisions made in the past have a direct impact today, such as land subsidence due to the massive shift towards aquaculture several decades ago. These factors showcase how adaptation and vulnerability are relational concepts being coshaped by both structural determinants, such as political economy and power relations, and micro-level factors, such as personal aspirations and people’s life courses.