Managing climate risk: The way forward
Climate change is taking place at an accelerated pace, and further changes are anticipated due to various factors including global population growth, urbanisation, increased use of fossil fuels and deforestation. The impacts of climate change range from gradual changes in temperature and sea level to extreme weather conditions, including more intense floods, droughts, and storms. These impacts affect the environmental quality and the economic performance of countries. As a result, the lives and livelihoods of people around the world are at risk. Although effective mitigation of the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is crucial to avert long-term climate changes, some of the impacts projected for the coming decades can no longer be avoided. Given the strong linkages between the impacts of climate change and social and economic systems, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive climate risk management framework and introduce innovative mitigation and adaptation measures by addressing the whole spectrum of risks.
This workshop will bring together the current state of knowledge about the impacts of climate change and promote interactive discussions among participants as to how to assess public perceptions of the risks posed by climate change and to develop strategies to communicate actual risks to different communities. Climate change risk communication will play an important role to change people’s decisions and behaviour towards the environment and reduce their carbon footprints.
Organizer: National University of Singapore