Research Projects

Improving Climate Psychological Preparedness for Coastal Communities

A Road and Coastline

Contact

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    Stuart Lines

    Director of Public Health Norfolk, Norfolk County Council

Mental ill-health is a significant issue in coastal communities and these communities also experience disproportionate climate related risks such as flooding and erosion, leading to worsening the health inequalities.

RIPPLE aims to enhance climate psychological preparedness in coastal communities by collaborating with local partners and residents.

The project seeks to understand long-term mental health challenges faced by coastal populations and develop prevention strategies.

Objectives include creating an awareness baseline for climate change impacts, measuring household preparedness using the Psychological Preparedness for Disaster Threat Scale (PPDTS) assessment, and identifying at-risk households.

By addressing psychological well-being and preparedness, RIPPLE aims to empower coastal communities to navigate climate-related challenges more effectively and foster resilient communities.

Norfolk Coastline

The project found that almost all households in both communities would benefit from practical information to support climate-related household emergency planning. Working-age adults and those living within ¼ mile of the coastline were significantly less prepared than other groups and needed additional targeted information and support.

In addition, the interviews revealed a dissonance between observed climate-linked changes in the environment, such as flooding and coastal erosion, and personal or household planning and actions in response to climate change.

From this work, recommendations for local authorities and resilience plans to support psychological preparedness in communities to respond to climate change have been developed in readiness to present to Norfolk Resilience Planners.

Click here to read the RIPPLE project's Impact Case Study
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Organisations involved in this group

Norfolk and Waveney ICB logo
Norfolk County Council logo
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust logo
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East Suffolk Council Logo
Great Yarmouth Borough Council Logo
North Norfolk District Council Logo
Coastal Partnership East Logo

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