Assessing the Vulnerability of Social-Environmental Systems

Posted: 10 Jan 2008

See all articles by Hallie Eakin

Hallie Eakin

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) - Department of Geography

Amy L. Luers

Global Environmental Program

Abstract

In this review, we highlight new insights into the conceptualization of the vulnerability of social-environmental systems and identify critical points of convergence of what otherwise might be characterized as disparate fields of research. We argue that a diversity of approaches to studying vulnerability is necessary in order to address the full complexity of the concept and that the approaches are in large part complementary. An emerging consensus on the issues of critical importance to vulnerability reduction¿including concerns of equity and social justice¿and growing synergy among conceptual frameworks promise even greater relevancy and utility for decision makers in the near future. We synthesize the current literature with an outline of core assessment components and key questions to guide the trajectory of future research.

Keywords: adaptation, equity, global environmental change, resilience

Suggested Citation

Eakin, Hallie and Luers, Amy L., Assessing the Vulnerability of Social-Environmental Systems. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 31, November 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1081966

Hallie Eakin (Contact Author)

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) - Department of Geography ( email )

CA 93106
United States

Amy L. Luers

Global Environmental Program ( email )

Berkeley, CA 94704
United States

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