Communicating health risks of global climate change

Abstract

Risk communication is difficult even when we know our audience and what we want to say to it. These difficulties multiply for risk communication about the possible health effects of global climate change. Such communication requires detailed attention to the decisions that potential audiences face, faithful reliance on existing research results, and rigorous evaluation. In this paper we provide an overview of this challenge for policy-makers and risk managers, and highlight relevant research findings in risk communication and related fields, including behavioral decision-making, science education and cognitive psychology.

Citation

Bostrom, A. and Fischhoff, B. (2001), "Communicating health risks of global climate change", Böm, G., Nerb, J., McDaniels, T. and Spada, H. (Ed.) Environmental Risks: Perception, Evaluation and Management (Research in Social Problems and Public Policy, Vol. 9), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 31-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-1152(01)80023-5