Perceptions of preparedness to address climate change threats in the western Indian Ocean

The aim of the study was to improve understanding of the state and needs of knowledge, perceptions, threats, preparedness, and actions to address climate change among maritime Western Indian Ocean national institutions. Two hundred and eighty-nine respondents were contacted directly and 134 (46.4%) fully completed a questionnaire asking specifics concerning these aspects of climate preparedness. Results allowed evaluations of respondents in 9 nations and 7 marine and research organizational categories. Responses indicated that climate change is broadly acknowledged, being addressed, and organizations are making progress towards adaptation goals. However, specifics of locations, timing, and organizational planning and action cycles were less clearly articulated. Respondents clustered into 3 main groupings named as decisive, indecisive, and divergent as reflected in their degree of affirmation of proposed adaptive planning and interventions. The decisive group were 43% of the respondents who were clear that sea level rise and hotter temperatures were the main threats. The indecisive and divergent respondents (28% each) had a mixture of negative and uncertain responses that represented a mixture of critical thinking and a mixed state of preparation. All respondents reported a mixed implementation approach that included biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource extract, coastal development, and alternative livelihoods activities. Most were influenced by a portfolio of funding opportunities, but primarily focused on capacity building. Planning, monitoring, revising, and coordination were less frequently reported even among organizations with this capacity. There was little evidence that respondent organization were completing an adaptive cycle where data collection and sharing provided feedback and needed adjustments. Common-sense capacity building drove most funding and actions, but rapid responses for effective change will require building monitoring, evaluation, and coordination activities to accelerate learning and adaptation.