Researcher Hails Efforts to Adapt to Climate Change in Sarteneja, Monkey River

Norwegian researcher Marianne Karlsson today issued the results of her thesis project about adapting to climate change in two seaside fishing communities at either end of the country. A few years ago, working with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Karlsson spent time with the fishers of Sarteneja, Corozal District and Monkey River, Toledo District, observing their responses to issues in their community.  The thesis analyses what factors have influenced livelihood changes in a historical perspective in both villages, what social consequence coastal erosion has had in Monkey River and how Sarteneja fishermen respond to climatic and non-climatic stressors.  Doctor Karlsson told News Five that what most impressed her was the spirit of the communities as villagers worked together to address their issues as well as to the Government.

Marianne Karlsson

Dr. Marianne Karlsson, Senior Researcher, Nordland Research Institute

“There are already a lot of local responses to change, and these local responses need maybe to be better connected with other kinds of responses at the Government level, and that the local communities are very attached to the places that they live, and the adaptation in a sense is because they want to continue to live there, and they do their best, like in Monkey River, to maintain that village.”

Reporter

“Can you give examples of what we are speaking about, in particular in Monkey River and in Sarteneja?”

Dr. Marianne Karlsson

“For example, in Monkey River they have been very active in trying to get attention around this erosion issue; they have been trying to get other researchers, journalists and NGO’s onboard and try to address the issue together with the Government, so there’s a really active local community there; and the signs for the future are important to take into consideration and also why they think it’s a meaningful life they have there.”

Doctor Karlsson successfully defended her thesis at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in September 2015. She plans to return for further research and follow-up.