Climate Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

This initiative develops an agent-based simulation model to explore how social processes and interactions with the environment influence ecosystem-based adaptation actions. It quantifies resulting changes in mangrove ecosystem extent, structure, and health, providing a decision-support framework for policymakers and communities to enhance climate resilience.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Removes/stores GHGs (e.g., projects that capture, sequester, or otherwise enhance the "sinks" that accumulate and store GHGs)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Our project is designed to directly empower climate-vulnerable coastal Indigenous communities in Fiji, many of whom are underrepresented in global climate discussions and face disproportionate risks from sea-level rise, storm surges, and habitat loss. These communities rely heavily on mangroves for coastal protection, fisheries, and livelihoods, yet often lack access to scientific tools that guide long-term adaptation planning.

By integrating community knowledge into our agent-based model and working with local stakeholders, the project ensures that restoration strategies reflect local priorities, cultural practices, and socioeconomic constraints. The platform is intentionally developed to be accessible, allowing youth, women’s groups, and village leaders to explore scenarios, understand storm impacts, and participate in designing ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) solutions.

Our work also supports women's leadership, many mangrove restoration groups and village committees in Fiji are women-led. We aim to strengthen their capacity by providing training on monitoring, data interpretation, and EbA decision-making. Additionally, this project promotes opportunities for youth engagement in environmental stewardship and climate science.

Within the project team, representation includes early-career scholars and individuals from climate-vulnerable regions, ensuring diverse perspectives in the research process. By centering local voices, the project advances climate justice while building community-driven, scientifically informed resilience strategies.