Weather and Climate Risk Communication

Quebec publishers

We are all exposed to meteorological and climate risks that impact our daily lives to some degree. A number of organizations with professionals from various areas of expertise provide solutions to prevent and manage these risks. It is critical to adequately communicate these issues to individuals who may be impacted and to the various actors involved in managing these problem situations to offset any harmful effects.

The purpose of this book is to convey the role of communications in risk management. In this book, practitioners and researchers share their experiences and observations and through examples, reflections and practical exercises, they equip readers with a range of tools to improve their communications and understanding of events involving the transmission of messaging.

This book deals with risk communication concepts, the actual practice of communications, communicating in a digital environment, and the overall repercussions. Readers who are either risk management and communication professionals or students are shown how they can assume an enhanced participatory role in implementing effective and relevant communications strategies that minimize the negative impact of crisis situations.

Table of contents
Cover	1
TABLE OF CONTENTS	9
LIST OF INSERTS, FIGURES AND TABLES	19
INTRODUCTION	21
CHAPTER 1 - Basic Concepts in Risk Communication in Meteorology and Climatology	25
1.1 Conditions Prior to the Risk Communication Process	27
1.2 Obstacles in Risk Communication	30
1.3 Moving From the Individual to the Organization	35
Conclusion	38
References	39
Exercises	40
CHAPTER 2 - Common Concepts in Building a Foundation for Effective Communication Between Partners in Meteorological and Climate Risk Communication	43
2.1 Emergency Management	45
2.2 Risk, Hazard, and Vulnerability Concepts	47
2.3 Crisis, Disaster or Catastrophe Concepts	50
2.4 Application to Meteorology and Climatology	52
Conclusion	55
References	55
Exercise	57
CHAPTER 3 - The Standard Reference Framework for Setting Benchmarks in Meteorological and Climate Risk Communication	59
3.1 What Is an ISO Standard?	60
3.2 Standards 3100 and 31010	61
3.3 Communications Principles According to ISO Standard 31000 and Case Studies	74
Conclusion	78
References	80
Exercises	81
CHAPTER 4 - Psychosocial Aspects of Risk Perception and Communication	83
4.1 Unpacking the Concept of Risk: Unpacking the Components	85
4.2 Risk Perception: Levers of Communication	93
4.3 Risk Communication: Aiming for Mobilization and Empowerment	97
Conclusion	102
References	102
CHAPTER 5 - Risk Communication Strategy and Stakeholders	105
5.1 Components	107
5.2 The Players in Risk Communication	111
5.3 Orchestrating Risk Communication Contributions	115
Conclusion	115
References	116
Exercises (see Chapter 8 for continuation)	118
CHAPTER 6 - Required Skills and Rules of the Art of Risk Communication	119
6.1 How to Integrate Communications in Risk Management	121
6.2 Planning Communications	123
Conclusion	128
References	129
Exercises	131
CHAPTER 7 - Advice, Reflections, and Testimonials of a Communicator “At the End of the Tunnel” in Risk Communication	133
7.1 Communications: Integral Part of Our Lives	134
7.2 Importance of Customer Segmentation	137
7.3 The Truth Is Always the Best!	139
7.4 Credibility: A Critical Component	139
7.5 Media Relations: The Thorn in the Side of Many Scientists and Other Experts	141
7.6 Interviews	143
Conclusion	146
References	147
Exercises	148
CHAPTER 8 - The Multidimensional Limitations of Risk Communication	151
8.1 Scientific Limitations	153
8.2. Technological Limitations	155
8.3. Organizational Limitations	156
8.4 Institutional and Political Limitations	158
Conclusion	159
References	159
Exercises (continuation from Chapter 5)	161
CHAPTER 9 - Managing Communications in a Crisis Situation in the Age of Social Networks	163
9.1 A Known Accelerated Diffusion Curve in Public Relations	165
9.2 Managing Mediatization in a Context of Multiple Media Platforms	166
9.3 Addition of Web Platforms, then Social Networks	166
9.4 Harmonizing Communications by Conveying them Via “Omnichannels”	168
9.5 Organizing Communications to Respond to Safety Issues	172
9.6 Raising Awareness in Senior Leaders About the Role of Social Media in a Crisis	173
9.7 Living With Freedom of Expression and Expecting the Opposite	174
9.8 Equipping the Organization’s Spokesperson for Social Networks	177
9.9 Trend Towards Omnichannel Crisis Communications	178
Conclusion	178
References	179
Exercises	180
CHAPTER 10 - Data Science and Perception of Natural and Climate Risks: An Analysis of Twitter Conversations	181
10.1 Guiding Principles for Analyzing Twitter Conversations	184
10.2. Example of The Analysis of Real-Time Twitter Conversations During the 2015 Canadian Federal Elections ( #globaldebate and #polcan2015)	192
10.3 Twitter Alerts in Disaster or Severe Weather Event Prevention	194
Conclusion	196
References	196
Exercises	198
CHAPTER 11 - Social Media in Emergency Management (SMEM): Adopting the Public Response	199
11.1 Social Media During a Meteorological Crisis	201
11.2 SMEM: Use of Social Media in Emergency Management (Hurricane Sandy, a Case Study)	205
11.3 Post-Crisis Period For a Meteorological Event	212
Conclusion	218
References	219
Exercises	220
CHAPTER 12 - The Effects of Meteorological and Climate Risks on Health	221
12.1 Cardio-Protection: Weather to Cardio	222
12.2 Public Health Indices and the Weather	223
12.3 Climate and Health: Major Health Organizations Speak Out	223
12.4 The Cost of Climate Change	224
12.5 Fossil Fuels and Health	225
12.6 Atmospheric Brown Clouds (ABC)	226
12.7 A Clear and Standardized Definition: Air Quality Index	226
12.8 Health Outcomes of Anti-Pollution Measures	228
12.9 Pollution Peak or Chronic Pollution?	228
12.10 Urban Design and Weather	229
12.11 Zoonoses and Acts of God	229
Conclusion	230
References	230
Exercises	231
CHAPTER 13 - Changing Behaviours When Dealing With Climate Risks: From Information to Collective Action or From Nudge to Living Lab	233
13.1 Change Through Anticipation: A Major Challenge!	235
13.2 A History of Risk Management?	235
13.3 Individual Change: A Vast and Complex Territory	237
13.4. Changing Behaviour Through Close Contact?	239
13.5 Communication as a Tool for Individual Change	240
13.6 Use Non-Technical Language, Inform, Repeat x 3	241
13.7 Using the Nudge	242
13.8 Getting Involved in Awareness Activities	243
13.9 Communication as a Driver of Individual Change	244
13.10 Using Collaboration and Change Workshops	244
13.11 Organizing Living Labs	245
13.12 The Role of Different Actors in Change	248
13.13 Thinking of Change in Terms of Leadership and Openness to New Ideas	249
Conclusion	250
References	250
Exercises	253
CHAPTER 14 - Systemic Approach in Meteorological and Climate Risk Commun	255
14.1 Danger: the Common Denominator in a Systemic Approach in Risk Communication	257
14.2 Thoughts on a Systemic Approach	268
Conclusion	269
References	270
Exercises	271
Biographical notes	273