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Project title

Socio-Ecological Archiving: Coastal Communities' Heritage in times of climate change

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage,

Lead Organisation

Carrig Conservation LTD

Lead Applicant

Cathy Daly

Project Abstract

Climate change poses a serious threat to cultural heritage, including traditional knowledge, and practices that define our identity and history. International climate agendas often neglect the cultural heritage of local communities, in particular coastal communities who are facing high climate risk. SEA-CCHange, a three-year research program, aims to explore how coastal communities perceive and adapt to climate change in the context of their cultural heritage and how this can inform climate mitigation and adaptation. In the climate and cultural heritage discussion, diverse narratives and local community heritage are often overlooked, leading to underrepresentation and vulnerable communities being left out of climate policy. SEA-CCHange seeks to change this by examining three critical aspects: 1. Assessing the physical risks posed by climate change to cultural heritage, contrasting these risks with how communities perceive them. 2. Investigating how heritage practices adapt during changing times through discussions and interviews; exploring the tensions and unexpected outcomes that emerge from multiple perspectives. 3. Documenting (in an openaccess archive) how heritage is lived and practiced during climate change and seeking collaborative solutions that consider what's been lost, changed, valued, and what can be recovered. SEA-CCHange focuses on six international cases, including coastal communities in Ireland, UK, the Netherlands, Indonesia, and the Caribbean. The consortium partners span a wide range of inter- and transdisciplinary topics and societal partners that span local government, research policy, citizen science, fisheries and regional cultural heritage, who will collaborate to form a socio-ecological archive on/for the coastal community experience and promote impact and outreach to have their voices heard. By bridging cultural heritage and climate change research, SEA-CCHange aims to safeguard heritage, embrace diverse narratives, and contribute to informed policy decisions in the face of climate change.

Grant Approved

€150,000.00

Research Hub

Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

01/02/2024

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/01/2027