Abstract
In many communities across the globe, climate change impacts are being experienced as water challenges. Building resilience through local policy responses requires a deep understanding of the changes at the climate and water interface. These imperatives also require new community knowledge and action as climate impacts have hidden and disproportionate impacts in communities. This paper outlines how community focused research is critical for integrating new knowledge, governance approaches, partnerships and policy innovations related to climate change impacts and responses. The paper presents a research framework and findings from community-based research focused on the City of Toronto and five key communities that are often not part of traditional governance and policy processes: Indigenous; Black; newcomer; intergenerational seniors and youth; and shoreline and coastal interests. The paper also outlines how this research approach can be used in other cities and communities that require new knowledge and policy approaches that are often nested in local, national, and transboundary regions.
Presenters
Carolyn JohnsProfessor, Politics and Public Administration, Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Unseen Unsustainability: Addressing Hidden Risks to Long-Term Wellbeing for All
KEYWORDS
Climate Change, Water, Resilience, Community, Knowledge, Diversity, Governance, Policy, Innovation
