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http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s10113-015-0900-4&domain=pdf
Web End = Reg Environ Change (2016) 16:16131622 DOI 10.1007/s10113-015-0900-4
http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s10113-015-0900-4&domain=pdf
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Flood risk and climate change in the Rotterdam area,The Netherlands: enhancing citizens climate risk perceptions and prevention responses despite skepticism
Joop de Boer1 W. J. Wouter Botzen1 Teun Terpstra2
Received: 21 March 2015 / Accepted: 13 November 2015 / Published online: 12 December 2015 The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Abstract Effective communication about climate change and related risks is complicated by the polarization between climate alarmists and skeptics. This paper provides insights for the design of climate risk communication strategies by examining how the interplay between climate change and ood risk communication affects citizens risk perceptions and responses. The study is situated in a delta area with substantial geographic variations in the occurrence and potential impact of ood risk, which has led to initiatives to make the area more climate proof. We developed a research model that examines individual differences in processing information about climate change related ood risk, based on the postulate that individuals often make an implicit trade-off between motivation to know what is real and motivation to maintain prior beliefs. A eld experiment, embedded in a survey (n = 1887), sought to test out how the participants responded to risk frames in which a story on ood was either or not combined with climate change information.
The results show that it was possible to increase the participants local climate risk perception in combination with increased motivation for ood damage prevention, despite a certain level of climate change skepticism. A general implication of our study is that relevant and diagnostic information about local climate-related ood risks can stimulate citizens need to know whats real and their willingness to take responsibility for preparedness.
Keywords Climate change Communication Flood
risk Prevention Risk perception Skepticism
Introduction
Delta cities may be affected by a number of climate change impacts, including rising sea levels and property damage and casualties from extreme ood events (Dempsey and Fisher 2005; Jongman et al. 2012; Smit and Wandel 2006). A proactive approach to addressing these vulnerabilities requires timely investment in ood protection infrastructure and urban planning, as well as open and clear communication with the inhabitants about the...