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Climate Change and Society – Communicating Adaptation

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Environmental Sociology

Abstract

This article presents a theoretical-conceptual approach for the communication of societal adaptation to the consequences of global climate change. Next to the dominating issues of prevention and mitigation (e.g. reduction of CO2 emissions) as well as restoration (e.g. reforestation) there is a growing awareness of the need for adaptation. Because of the societal and factual complexity of adaptation strategies, communication has a pivotal role to play. However, so far there has been too little done to conceptualize and analyze adaptation-oriented communication. Based on established approaches – disaster, risk and sustainability communication – the integrative concept of ‘adaptation communication’ is developed and discussed.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The broader discourse on adaptive governance of social-ecological systems has produced basic insights about the complexity and dynamics of society-environment interactions and the need for accepting ongoing change and the ability to proactively shape change (e.g., Folke et al. 2005). In these research activities, which are centered on co-management of ecosystems, the relevance of governance, stakeholder involvement, social capital, actor networks and social learning is emphasized as key for adaptive governance. Against this background this article adds to this perspective by focusing specifically on communication processes for adaptation to climate change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Environmental and Sustainability Communication, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany

    Harald Heinrichs

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  1. Harald Heinrichs
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Correspondence to Harald Heinrichs .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Umweltforschung GmbH (UFZ), Dept. Stadt- und Umweltsoziologie, Helmholtz-Zentrum für, Permoserstr. 15, Leipzig, 04318, Germany

    Matthias Gross

  2. Inst. Umweltkommunikation, Universität Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, Lüneburg, 21335, Germany

    Harald Heinrichs

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Heinrichs, H. (2010). Climate Change and Society – Communicating Adaptation. In: Gross, M., Heinrichs, H. (eds) Environmental Sociology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8730-0_18

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