The Politics of Climate Adaptation

Abstract

Emerging research highlights increasing subnational activity on climate change. While most researchers explore mitigation of climate change, far less attention has been directed towards climate adaptation. In this dissertation I explore the sub-national politics surrounding climate adaptation in the United States through three broad questions. 1) At the state level, why do some states adopt adaptation plans while others do not? Are there any emerging patterns among predictors for policy, and do these vary across policy adoption (yes/no) and policy goals and ambitiousness? 2) Within urban politics, in what ways do local politics shape adaptation efforts given the relative risks faced by cities and the broader political context of climate decision-making? Are there differences in factors predicting commitment across size - mainly small, medium and large cities? And 3) to better understand the quality of collaborative partnerships in adaptation planning, I ask multiple interrelated questions such as which agencies are more likely to collaborate with one another to develop and implement strategies for climate adaptation, and do we see any patterns among these partnerships? Which stakeholders are involved in building climate resilience, and what are the means and tools used for these collaborations? Further, what is the importance given to collaboration within adaptation policy documents, and at what stages of the policy process are these partnerships most evident?The findings from this research contribute to the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, collaborative governance and public participation, and well as environmental decision-making on climate change adaptation among states and local governments.