Research Sites and Papers

PUBLICATIONS

- Fisher, P. Brian, forthcoming (Oct 2011). “Climate Change in Funafuti, Tuvalu: The Effect of Marine Ecosystem Changes on Human Security”, Global Change, Peace and Security 23(3).
- Fisher, P. Brian, Ryan Emmanuel, Rebecca Barnes, Olivia LeDee, and Sarah Henkel“Meeting the Demands of Interdisciplinary Research in Global Environmental Change,” EOS.

MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW

* “Reframing the Climate Agenda After COP 15: The Need for Long-Term Goals under UNFCCC Art 2.” (under review, Portal, Special Edition on Climate Governance).
* "Ecological Governmentality: The Displacement of the Local in the Rio Negro Region of Brazil ," forthcoming, Human Ecology, v. 38. 3

WORKS IN PROGRESS

* “Climate Mitigation as a Crisis of Energy: Synergies between the US and China” (with Guoli Liu, College of Charleston).

* Book Manuscript: Reframing Climate Approaches for Vulnerable Communities
The manuscript explores both the global level effects to governance from climate change as well as at the local level in Funafuti, Tuvalu and Nunavut, Canada. This comparison of local cases provides insight into the how climate change affects vulnerable communities. The research suggests that these impacts are pervasive and once they enter the society, it transitions from environmental issue to that of human security. At the global level, the asymmetry of the economic and political system, combined with the lack of developmental and adaptive capacity to address human insecurity from climate change, means that there is a significant issue of justice. This suggests the importance of operationalizing norms of justice and security within the climate regime in developing effective and equitable climate policy.

RESEARCH FIELD SITES

▪ Beijing, China (June-July 2010)

This project will investigate two main cities in China (Beijing and Tianjin) to compare with two US cities, NYC and Charleston, SC. Our project asserts that global level management of climate emissions is losing traction, yet in both countries municipal or city level administration of climate emissions has traction in policy. This research will explore this data in comparison to examine synergies between the four cities for future climate governance.

▪ Funafuti, Tuvalu (April, September 2007 and June 2008)

Conducted extensive research designed to comprehensively catalogue of the effects of climate change in Tuvalu and its impact on human security. I conducted more than 45 in-depth video interviews of government officials (including Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, and 1^st Prime Minister), elders and community leaders, scientific officers and NGOs. I also created a survey project designed to assess quantitatively the observed impacts of climate change, adaptive responses, and the costs associated with these impacts. This survey (N=141) was conducted in June 2008 through in-depth questionnaires and distributed door-to-door to just over 20% of the households in Funafuti (main island).

▪ Arctic: Baffin Island, Canada & Ottawa, Canada (August-September 2006)

Conducted 35+ qualitative interviews among various sectors of Inuit society and the Canadian government. The research was designed to assess the physical effects of climate change, its physical and social/cultural impact on the Inuit, and analyze the consequences of these impacts. In addition, I collected data (from previous surveys) on climate change throughout the region, as well as conducted socio-historical research in Iqaluit. I interviewed the lead counsel for the IACHR (Inter-American Commission on Human Rights) Petition filed on behalf of the Inuit against the U.S.

 

 ▪ Rio Negro River Region, Amazonas, Brazil (June-July 2005)

Research consisted of interviewing individuals in various communities along the Rio Negro River. The project focused on examining changes in human (and state) interaction with the environment, and how those changes, in turn, affected the well-being of community members. I was specifically interested in communities that would not be afforded additional protections as “indigenous” but who had lived in the same place for generations and had a stake in the land, nature, and community. A sub-phase of the research centered on climatic changes and its impact on the people of the region.