If our premises in chapter 1 are correct—that climate change risks are no longer avoidable and that climate preparedness and adaptation will require local collective risk management—then what stands in the way of those kinds of local collective risk management efforts?

More specifically, what challenges do communities face in mobilizing support for and undertaking adaptation strategies? What does this imply, in terms of what it will take for communities to prepare for and respond to climate change-related risks?

Existing research offers many theories and insights into this question and reminds us that we need to be mindful of the technical challenges that stand in the way of adaptation. Of course, this research provides a useful lens through which to consider potential concerns. But to truly understand the social landscape in communities like the four we worked with through NECAP, we also need to consider the public attitudes, perspectives and social dynamics at play on the ground. What are the real and perceived challenges communities such as Barnstable, Cranston, Dover and Wells face in moving forward with adaptation? How ready (or not) are these communities to support and engage in local collective risk management? What might be the key sources of resistance to—and pathways forward for—such efforts?

To explore this social landscape in our partner communities, we undertook a variety of assessments as part of the broader NECAP effort. These included baseline evaluations—such as the Stakeholder Assessment and initial 2013 public opinion poll we conducted in each community—as well as additional data collection through the role-play simulation workshops and the follow-up 2014 public opinion poll in each town. This chapter presents the key findings from these social assessments as they pertain to barriers to collective risk management. It also explores what both these findings and past research tell us about what it will take to enhance the readiness of communities to collectively prepare for and manage climate change risk.