Overview of Contextual Factors When Designing and Implementing Climate Risk Communication with Rural Communities in the Global South

Abstract

Climate change is the biggest threat of the 21st century. Perception of the climate change risk is an important step towards coping with and adaptation to it. The perception of risk is influenced by numerous factors among them-risk communication. Successful communication of climate change risk, like any other environmental risk, hinges on many factors. Careful consideration of these factors when planning risk communication initiatives is crucial particularly in developing countries steeped in cultures, customs, traditional ecological knowledge, and poverty. This theoretical paper uses a traditional literature review and backward snowballing techniques to highlight the important factors that need to be considered when planning and implementing climate change risk communication exercises in rural communities in a developing country context. This chapter is crucial in the context of scientific findings that climate change adaptation tools-a form of decision support tool-are poorly designed to engage rural communities in adaptation efforts. A well designed climate change risk communication initiative represents an entry point for scientists and practitioners to engage with rural people on climate change adaptation.