Risk Communications on Climate Change and Variability Preliminary guidance for ACCCA teams

This document is a simple guide to ACCCA pilot action teams to include researchers, planners, national and local organisations whose mission is:

• to communicate the existence of increasing climate change and variability;
• to use this to explain current climate events and possible future ramifications;
• to communicate the need to take action as proactively as possible in order to ameliorate negative impacts; and,
• to create the conditions for discussing positive adaptation strategies and share experiences and lessons.

It is based on life experience in human relations in a variety of arenas and accepts that the target audience may have considerably more practical experience of risk exposure than those communicating climate risks. Provides a simple set of ideas and recommendations to choose from according to your own needs but grounded on two principles that should be communicated throughout the process:

• The methodology must involve a continuous focus on the well-being of vulnerable groups and communities.
• Awareness raising, through risk communication and development of strategies for adaptation must become owned by the vulnerable groups/communities and their leaders.