Measuring Urban Resilience to Climate Change in Three Chinese Cities

Building an urban resilience index results in developing an increasingly popular tool for monitoring progress towards climate-proof cities. This paper develops an urban resilience index in the context of urban China, which helps planners and policy-makers at city level to identify whether urban development is leading to more resilience. The urban resilience index (URI) suggested in this research uses data on 24 indicators distributed over six URI component indices. While no measure of such a complex phenomenon can be perfect, the URI proved to be effective, useful and robust. Our findings show that the URI ensures access to integrated information on urban resilience to climate change. It allows comparisons of cities in a systematic and quantitative way, and enables identification of strong and weak points related to urban resilience. The URI provides tangible measures of not only overall measures of urban resilience to climate change, but also urban resilience components and related indicators. Therefore, it could meet a wide range of policy and research needs. URI is a helpful tool for urban decision-makers and urban planners to quantify goals, measure progress, benchmark performance, and identify priorities for achieving high urban resilience to climate change.

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Understanding the Climate-Sensitive Decisions and Information Needs of Freshwater Resource Managers in Hawaii

Weather Climate and Society ◽

10.1175/wcas-d-12-00039.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 293-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Melissa L. Finucane ◽

Rachel Miller ◽

L. Kati Corlew ◽

Victoria W. Keener ◽

Maxine Burkett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Information Needs ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Uncertain Information ◽

Climate Information ◽

Freshwater Resources ◽

Freshwater Resource ◽

Wide Range ◽

Climate Literacy

Abstract Understanding how climate science can be useful in decisions about the management of freshwater resources requires knowledge of decision makers, their climate-sensitive decisions, and the context in which the decisions are being made. A mixed-methods study found that people managing freshwater resources in Hawaii are highly educated and experienced in diverse professions, they perceive climate change as posing a worrisome risk, and they would like to be better informed about how to adapt to climate change. Decision makers with higher climate literacy seem to be more comfortable dealing with uncertain information. Those with lower climate literacy seem to be more trusting of climate information from familiar sources. Freshwater managers in Hawaii make a wide range of climate-sensitive decisions. These decisions can be characterized on several key dimensions including purpose (optimization and evaluation), time horizon (short term and long term), level of information uncertainty (known, uncertain, deeply uncertain, and completely unknown), and information type (quantitative and qualitative). The climate information most relevant to decision makers includes vulnerability assessments incorporating long-term projections about temperature, rainfall distribution, storms, sea level rise, and streamflow changes at an island or statewide scale. The main barriers to using available climate information include insufficient staff time to locate the information and the lack of a clear legal mandate to use the information. Overall, the results suggest that an integrated and systematic approach is needed to determine where and when uncertain climate information is useful and how a larger set of organizational and individual variables affect decision making.

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Unpacking the Levels of Household and Individual Climate Change Adaptation: Empirical Evidence from Leeds, United Kingdom

Weather Climate and Society ◽

10.1175/wcas-d-19-0109.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 501-513 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chukwuma Otum Ume ◽

Ogochukwu Onah ◽

Kehinde Paul Adeosun ◽

Onyekwe Chris Nnamdi ◽

Nice Nneoma Ihedioha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

United Kingdom ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Government Support ◽

Quantitative Aspect ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Climate Change Research ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Wide Range

AbstractThis study set out to empirically determine the current state of individual and household adaptation to climate change in the United Kingdom and how policy makers can improve on it. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative approaches (mixed method). For the quantitative aspect of the study, a quota-sampling technique was employed in the selection of 650 respondents for the study using a well-structured questionnaire. The quota representation was based on age and gender. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logit regression. In addition, qualitative content/topic analysis of an in-depth interview of the respondents was employed in further analyzing why and how policy makers can improve climate change adaptation. Findings from the study indicate the dire need for continued government support in household and individual adaptation in Leeds, and this support should also be encouraged in other cities where government intervention is low. Interventions in the form of subsidies, direct regulations, and public awareness are needed. The implementation of these measures is expected to generate a wide range of additional benefits to most vulnerable groups who should be central to the rapidly expanding climate change research and policy agenda in the United Kingdom.

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Viticulture in Portugal: A review of recent trends and climate change projections

OENO One ◽

10.20870/oeno-one.2016.0.0.1621 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 61 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Helder Fraga ◽

Iñaki García de Cortázar Atauri ◽

Aureliano C. Malheiro ◽

José Moutinho-Pereira ◽

João A. Santos

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Weather Factors ◽

Climate Change Projections ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Wide Range ◽

Drying Trend ◽

Recent Trends ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

Aim: The winemaking sector in Portugal is of major socio-economic relevance, significantly contributing to the national exports and sustaining many wine-related activities, including oenotourism. Portuguese viticultural regions present a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions with remarkable regional specificities, thus contributing to the individuality of their wines. Owing to the strong influence of climate and weather factors on grapevines, climate change may drive significant impacts on Portuguese viticulture.Methods and results: Climatic projections for the next decades in Portugal highlight an overall warming and drying trend of the grapevine growing season, potentially resulting in modifications in phenology, growth, development, yields and eventually wine characteristics and typicity. Furthermore, the current viticultural suitability of each region is projected to undergo significant changes, suggesting a reshaping of the optimal conditions for viticulture throughout the country. In order to sustain high quality levels and affordable yield regularity, cost-effective, appropriate and timely adaptation measures must be implemented by the sector.Conclusion: The most recent scientific studies covering the potential impacts of climate change on Portuguese viticulture are herein presented.Significance and impact of the study: Possible adaptation measures against these threats are also discussed, foreseeing their integration into decision support systems by stakeholders and decision-makers.

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Climate change vulnerability for species – assessing the assessments

10.1101/062646 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher J. Wheatley ◽

Colin M. Beale ◽

Richard B. Bradbury ◽

James W. Pearce-Higgins ◽

Rob Critchlow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Historical Data ◽

Global Climate ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Climate Change Vulnerability ◽

Vulnerability Assessments ◽

Wide Range ◽

Trend Data ◽

Historic Data ◽

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

AbstractClimate change vulnerability assessments are commonly used to identify species at risk from global climate change, but the wide range of methodologies available makes it difficult for end users, such as conservation practitioners or policy makers, to decide which method to use as a basis for decision-making. Here, we compare the outputs of 12 such climate change vulnerability assessment methodologies, using both real and simulated species, and we test the methods using historic data for British birds and butterflies (i.e., using historical data to assign risks, and more recent data for validation). Our results highlight considerable inconsistencies in species risk assignment across all the approaches considered and suggest the majority of the frameworks are poor predictors of risk under climate change – two methods performed worse than random. Methods that incorporated historic trend data were the only ones to have any validity at predicting distributional trends in subsequent time periods.

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Keeping Up the Momentum: Early Career Scientists in Policy-making and Community Science

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-977 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Caitlyn Hall ◽

Ethan Howley ◽

Evvan Morton ◽

Erin Murphy ◽

Hannah Bercovici ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Native American ◽

Science Policy ◽

Early Career ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Community Leaders ◽

Policy Network ◽

Community Members ◽

Policy Makers ◽

The Impact

To make an impact on science policy, a relationship between scientists, community leaders, and decision-makers cannot stop at one successful event &#8211; it must grow and evolve. The Arizona Science Policy Network aims to facilitate collaboration between early career scientists and decision-makers to draft science-informed policy. Beyond providing interactive and cross-disciplinary training and curriculum to scientists, we facilitate opportunities to practice in real situations, including speaking at town halls and public hearings, organizing public science science cafes and science days, writing policy memos and briefs, and advising on bills. In 2019, we successfully brought more than 60 early career scientists to the Arizona State Capitol to discuss drafts of the complex, multi-state Drought Contingency Plan with decision-makers. Since then, the state government has invited us to help draft sustainability- and climate change-focused legislation. We consider issues like climate change, water quality and availability, heat adaptation and mitigation, science education, ecological and social impacts of mining and industry, waste management, and emerging technologies. As we worked in impacted communities, we soon realized that we were missing the voices of community leaders in the conversation between scientists and policy-makers. In order to correct this, we hosted several science forums in breweries and cafes throughout Arizona. The science cafes initiated collaboration between policy-makers, scientists and community stakeholders, including Native American tribes. These meetings gave scientists, community members, and policy-makers a platform to discuss the environmental and socio-economic &#160;impact of mining sites specific to each forum&#8217;s location. Early career scientists contributed their scientific expertise to explain how we can address region-specific problems. Community members also shared their knowledge of each unique area and context of the impact of current business and policy. Policy-makers brought their perspective on how science is used to enact change. From these efforts, we have fostered a more equitable and inclusive environment to ensure that all perspectives and knowledge are included in new bills and policies. Our program has provided a unique experience for scientists to further understand the broader impacts of science on communities and society. This presentation will reflect on the lessons learned in drafting policy with decision-makers and community leaders.

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Viticulture in Portugal: A review of recent trends and climate change projections

OENO One ◽

10.20870/oeno-one.2017.51.2.1621 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 61-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Helder Fraga ◽

Iñaki García de Cortázar Atauri ◽

Aureliano C. Malheiro ◽

José Moutinho-Pereira ◽

João A. Santos

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Weather Factors ◽

Climate Change Projections ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Wide Range ◽

Drying Trend ◽

Recent Trends ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

Aim: The winemaking sector in Portugal is of major socio-economic relevance, significantly contributing to the national exports and sustaining many wine-related activities, including oenotourism. Portuguese viticultural regions present a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions with remarkable regional specificities, thus contributing to the individuality of their wines. Owing to the strong influence of climate and weather factors on grapevines, climate change may drive significant impacts on Portuguese viticulture.Methods and results: Climatic projections for the next decades in Portugal highlight an overall warming and drying trend of the grapevine growing season, potentially resulting in modifications in phenology, growth, development, yields and eventually wine characteristics and typicity. Furthermore, the current viticultural suitability of each region is projected to undergo significant changes, suggesting a reshaping of the optimal conditions for viticulture throughout the country. In order to sustain high quality levels and affordable yield regularity, cost-effective, appropriate and timely adaptation measures must be implemented by the sector.Conclusion: The most recent scientific studies covering the potential impacts of climate change on Portuguese viticulture are herein presented.Significance and impact of the study: Possible adaptation measures against these threats are also discussed, foreseeing their integration into decision support systems by stakeholders and decision-makers.

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A New World Post COVID-19

10.30687/978-88-6969-442-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Monica Billio ◽

Simone Varotto

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Monetary Policy ◽

Big Data ◽

Financial Markets ◽

New World ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Wide Range ◽

Change Labour Market ◽

Fiscal And Monetary Policy

Pandemics are disruptive events that have profound consequences for society and the economy. This volume aims to present an analysis of the economic impact of COVID-19 and its likely consequences for our future. This is achieved by drawing from the expertise of authors who specialise in a wide range of fields including fiscal and monetary policy, banking, financial markets, pensions and insurance, artificial intelligence and big data, climate change, labour market, travel, tourism and politics, among others. We asked contributing authors to write their chapters for a non-technical audience so that their message could reach beyond academia and professional economists to policy makers and the wider society. The material in this volume draws from the latest research and provides a wealth of ideas for further investigations and opportunities for reflection. This also makes it an ideal learning tool for economics and finance students wishing to gain a deeper understanding of how COVID-19 could influence their disciplines.

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Climate Action for (My) Children

Environmental and Resource Economics ◽

10.1007/s10640-021-00620-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Helena Fornwagner ◽

Oliver P. Hauser

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Large Scale ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Future Generations ◽

High School Diploma ◽

Sustainable Living ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Subgroup Analyses ◽

Climate Action

AbstractHow do we motivate cooperation across the generations—between parents and children? Here we study voluntary climate action (VCA), which is costly to today’s decision-makers but essential to enable sustainable living for future generations. We predict that “offspring observability” is critical: parents will be more likely to invest in VCA when their own offspring observes their action, whereas when adults or genetically unrelated children observe them, the effect will be smaller. In a large-scale lab-in-the-field experiment, we observe a remarkable magnitude of VCA: parents invest 82% of their 69€ endowment into VCA, resulting in almost 14,000 real trees being planted. Parents’ VCA varies across conditions, with the largest treatment effect occurring when a parent’s own child is the observer. In subgroup analyses, we find that larger treatment effects occur among parents with a high school diploma. Moreover, VCA for parents who believe in climate change is most affected by the presence of their own child. In contrast, VCA of climate change skeptical parents is most influenced by the presence of children to whom they are not related. Our findings have implications for policy-makers interested in designing programs to encourage voluntary climate action and sustaining intergenerational public goods.

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Digital Mis/Disinformation and Public Engagment with Health and Science Controversies: Fresh Perspectives from Covid-19

Media and Communication ◽

10.17645/mac.v8i2.3352 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 323-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

An Nguyen ◽

Daniel Catalan-Matamoros

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Digital Media ◽

Public Engagement ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Issues ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Vast Array ◽

Climate Change Denial ◽

Wide Range ◽

Recent Developments

Digital media, while opening a vast array of avenues for lay people to effectively engage with news, information and debates about important science and health issues, have become a fertile land for various stakeholders to spread misinformation and disinformation, stimulate uncivil discussions and engender ill-informed, dangerous public decisions. Recent developments of the Covid-19 infodemic might just be the tipping point of a process that has been long simmering in controversial areas of health and science (e.g., climate-change denial, anti-vaccination, anti-5G, Flat Earth doctrines). We bring together a wide range of fresh data and perspectives from four continents to help media scholars, journalists, science communicators, scientists, health professionals and policy-makers to better undersand these developments and what can be done to mitigate their impacts on public engagement with health and science controversies.

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Understanding Limited Use of Amplification in Infants and Children Who Are Hard of Hearing

Perspectives on Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood ◽

10.1044/hhdc25.1.15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 15-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ryan W. McCreery ◽

Elizabeth A. Walker ◽

Meredith Spratford

Keyword(s):

Hard Of Hearing ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Infants And Children ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Needs ◽

Case Examples ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Wide Range ◽

In Infants And Children

The effectiveness of amplification for infants and children can be mediated by how much the child uses the device. Existing research suggests that establishing hearing aid use can be challenging. A wide range of factors can influence hearing aid use in children, including the child's age, degree of hearing loss, and socioeconomic status. Audiological interventions, including using validated prescriptive approaches and verification, performing on-going training and orientation, and communicating with caregivers about hearing aid use can also increase hearing aid use by infants and children. Case examples are used to highlight the factors that influence hearing aid use. Potential management strategies and future research needs are also discussed.

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