Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/60668
Title: Climate Change in Rural Australia: Natural Hazard Preparedness and Recovery Needs of a Rural Community
Contributor(s): Pike, Caitlin E  (author); Lykins, Amy D  (author)orcid ; Bartik, Warren  (author)orcid ; Tully, Phillip J  (author)orcid ; Cosh, Suzanne M  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2024-05
Early Online Version: 2024-04-23
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/cli12050057
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/60668
Abstract: 

Climate change has resulted in a worldwide increase in intensity and frequency of extreme weather events including bushfires. Previous research has shown that communities often do not engage in disaster preparedness, even when sufficient education and resources are provided. With the projected increase in natural disasters, preparedness is paramount, and more research is needed to gain an understanding into what impacts community preparedness in the face of climate change. This study investigated one rural Australian community’s preparedness for the 2019–2020 bushfires. Thirteen Australian adults who resided within a small rural community in New South Wales during the 2019–2020 bushfires participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Participants reported being unprepared for the 2019–2020 bushfires and that the community has started to prepare for future bushfires. However, they also described a belief in ‘climate cycles’ rather than climate change, limiting engagement in preparedness for future hazards. Participants also reported that they did not talk about the 2019–2020 bushfires, although described experiencing residual anxiety. Recommendations included support needed for rural communities to help with future preparedness efforts and mental health symptoms.

Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Climate, 12(5), p. 1-14
Publisher: MDPI AG
Place of Publication: Switzerland
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 410103 Human impacts of climate change and human adaptation
370903 Natural hazards
520302 Clinical psychology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 190103 Social impacts of climate change and variability
190101 Climate change adaptation measures (excl. ecosystem)
190401 Climatological hazards (e.g. extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires)
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Psychology

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