Thesis
The production of ocean space and sea level rise policy in Aberdeen and Bainbridge Island, Washington
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101275
Abstract
In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) identifies global sea level rise (SLR) as an effect of anthropogenic climate change demanding human adaptation. Regions of the United States are projected to experience SLR with varying severity, with some areas of western Washington at high risk of SLR effects. SLR adaptation largely exists as municipal-level policy. Past research has used quantitative methods to determine that affluence and vulnerability increase likelihood of municipal-level adoption of climate change related policies. Additionally, past research indicates that vulnerabilities and responses to climate change effects vary across locations. However, qualitative methods have not yet been extensively used to examine the processes associated with municipal-level adaptive policy development. This research examines the relationship between municipal economic and industrial factors, localized conceptions of marine spaces, and municipal SLR policy. I perform qualitative content analyses on SLR policy and media data for the comparative cases of Aberdeen and Bainbridge Island, WA, examining separately both local conceptions of the ocean and local SLR policy. I apply a Lefebvrean theoretical lens that emphasizes the processes by which spatial meanings are produced and by which these meanings also produce outcomes such as policy. I find that Bainbridge Island and Aberdeen characterize oceanic spaces differently in local policy and media documents given their economic and industrial make-up, and I suggest these differences are related to different municipal SLR policies. These findings support and inform research examining the role of affluence in generating SLR policy.
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Details
- Title
- The production of ocean space and sea level rise policy in Aberdeen and Bainbridge Island, Washington
- Creators
- Jonathan Theil Dahlem
- Contributors
- Raoul S. Lievanos (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Sociology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525120501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis