Communicating drought risk in a changing climate
Until the 2018 summer heatwave, the past decade in the UK had so far been defined by flooding. Droughts and floods may feel like polar opposites but they are just two points on a watery continuum. And with climate change, people can - and will - face both at the same time.
This paper highlights 10 principles for communicating drought risks in a changing climate. These principles were developed within the context of DRY (Drought Risk and You), a research project that is exploring how combining science and storytelling approaches can create new decision-making tools for dealing with drought risks.
The authors explore the difficulties involved in building understanding and engagement with the sometimes complex issues surrounding climate change and drought in the UK. Moreover, the report outlines how communicators can best respond to these challenges. These lessons are intended to support delivery of more effective public engagement with drought risks.
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