Indicators and participatory processes: a framework for assessing integrated climate vulnerability and risk as applied in Los Angeles County, California
In this manuscript, researchers conduct an integrated vulnerability assessment framework in Los Angeles (L.A.) County, California. This approach iteratively integrates partner and stakeholder engagement to develop indicators and indices of various facets of community vulnerability and climate-driven hazard and spatially assess social, structural, and natural resource vulnerability or exposure to coastal and climate-driven hazards. Community vulnerability assessments are often among the first steps taken to advance local climate adaptation planning, and communities need to be confident in their assessment methodologies and resulting information.
The research concludes that boundary-spanning organizations can play a crucial role in participatory science and stakeholder needs assessments, and emphasize the need for continued stakeholder engagement in climate science. Partnership decisions are likely to be influenced by geography and opportunity and may also include organizations such as state coastal commissions, watershed or river basin commissions, councils of governments, and conservation and development commissions.