‘Islandness’ and Risk Perception: Climate Change and Marine Diversity Loss in the Campanian Archipelago

This study investigates how individuals’ perceptions of: socio-environmental risks, loss of marine biodiversity, and climate change impacts, are influenced by personal, collective, geographical, historical, and socio-cultural factors within island contexts. While existing research on the socio-environmental risks faced by islands focuses on Pacific islands or ‘small island developing states’, this study offers a new perspective by examining the case of the Campanian Archipelago in Italy. It aims to explore if and how unique island characteristics shape local perceptions of environmental risks and climate change adaptation strategies. By focusing on the specific context of ‘islandness’, and using a qualitative approach (interviews and questionnaires) the research seeks to understand how island communities perceive environmental degradation, climate change risks, and the challenges they face in managing resources.