Adaptation to climate change: an analysis from governance and social capital to the case of the commune of Frutillar - Chile

Abstract

The particularities of the current environmental climate conditions, specifically those that impact the territories, generate the need to develop adaptation strategies at the local level. The literature states that this process can be favored by the characteristics of social capital and local governance in local territories, especially for risk reduction and environmental protection. This study explores the relationships between social capital, governance and adaptation to climate change in the commune of Frutillar, Los Lagos region, Chile. Through a mixed model of exploratory design and the use of information gathering techniques based on official documentation, interviews, discussion group and content analysis techniques combined with data processing. It was possible to obtain results that suggest the existence of weaknesses in the adaptation strategies deployed in the commune of Frutillar due to the prioritization of only mitigation. The study concludes stating that adaptation strategies are not only achieved with goodwill or planning instruments, it is necessary to develop effective practices from and to the territory. Without that, adaptation to climate change will not be adequate or valuable for the inhabitants of the territory.