The Pacific Research on Island Solutions for Adaptation (RISA) program is a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership (CAP) that was formerly known as Pacific Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments. The NOAA CAP network was created in 1995 to pioneer innovative mechanisms for enhancing the value of climate information and products for understanding and responding to a variety of challenges associated with climate variability and change at the regional scale. The CAPs support sustained, collaborative research relationships that help communities build lasting and equitable climate resilience within the context of mainstream social and economic planning. To learn more about the specific mission of the Pacific Research on Island Solutions for Adaptation NOAA CAP team, click HERE for our Program Statement.

“Climate” acknowledges the program’s focus on long-term change and variability. “Adaptation” encompasses approaches to reduce negative impacts of climate change and maximize emerging opportunities. “Partnerships” refers to the web of collaborative relationships between researchers and community decision makers within the regions. It also refers to the larger connections among regional teams that support the peer-to-peer learning that builds local capacity and expertise for national impact.

The Core Office of the Pacific RISA program is led by the ASU Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation (GIOSI), in partnership with and located at the East-West Center, and researchers from the University of Hawai‘i International Pacific Research Center (UHIPRC), Water Resources Research Center (UHWRRC), Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM), Richardson School of Law, Sea Level Center (UHSLC), University of Guam (UoG), and with collaborators at the USGS-Pacific Islands Water Science Center and the Micronesia Conservation Trust.

At the core of the CAP philosophy is the observation that climate variability and change are global phenomena, but impacts primarily manifest at regional scales in issues related to changing hydrologic cycles, increasing vulnerability to natural hazards, agricultural disruptions, environmental disturbances, and sea level rise. Often, these climate challenges combine with and exacerbate other stressors, such as population growth, energy development, and transitions in local economies, culture, and social relationships. The types of products and management efforts undertaken by the RISAs vary widely, but share the common feature of emerging from real-world challenges faced by stakeholders.

The CAP model of climate services that has emerged relies heavily on participatory approaches featuring two-way dialogues between researchers and user groups, uses iterative and sustained relationships to build mutual understanding and trust, and is implemented through collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-partner teams delineated by decision-relevant contexts shaped by geography, sector, and timing. Additionally, the approach is evolutionary and opportunistic, adapting to the influx of new constituencies—many of which are actively “cultivated” by the CAP teams—new advances in science and technology, an improved understanding of decision contexts, and responsive to the opportunities associated with climate events (e.g., droughts) and emerging policy initiatives.

Lessons from the CAP Experience

The CAP experience provides valuable “lessons learned” that have direct relevance to regional and national climate services:
– Building trust requires a sustained effort.
– Integrated and interdisciplinary climate information and research is required.
– Information must be contextual and relevant.
– Proactive engagement is required.
– A dynamic and flexible organization is required.

CAP Regions and Research