Title: Addressing institutional challenges to adaptation planning for climate change impacts on the Northern Great Plains: a case study of North Dakota

Authors: Rebecca J. Romsdahl

Addresses: Earth System Science and Policy, University of North Dakota, USA

Abstract: This paper reports on a survey of government decision-makers to examine their perspectives toward climate change and to ask if they are adapting their management of natural resources and public health issues; also, what are the challenges they face? Luhmann|s theory of ecological communication suggests that a complex issue like climate change will present barriers to adaptation planning. Survey responses show that barriers to the integration of climate science into decision-making are often associated with economic and education systems. These highlight the importance of adaptive governance and collaborative relationships that address constraints and opportunities associated with socio-economic and institutional circumstances of key adaptive decision-makers.

Keywords: institutional challenges; adaptation planning; climate change impact; North Dakota; USA; United States; government decision makers; natural resources management; public health management; ecological communication; decision making; adaptive governance; collaborative relationships.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2009.053969

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2009 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.35 - 56

Published online: 13 May 2013 *

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