Public risk perceptions regarding climate and weather are known to be influenced by demographic factors including direct personal experiences with weather events. These perceptions are dynamic, often shaped by the immediacy and visual impact of weather phenomena and climate-related disasters, alongside evolving scientific understanding and projections of future climatic trends and their potential impacts on the environment and human society. In this paper, we present a multilevel analysis of public risk perceptions on climate and weather, leveraging the 2021 wave of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll (WRP), a large survey dataset of 129,992 individuals interviewed across 121 countries. Our project aim is to test whether individual-level factors such as age, gender, education, household income, household size, whether their living environment is urban or rural, and personal experiences of severe weather events shape public risk perceptions on climate and weather. In this study, we also integrate several country level indices into the WRP dataset to generate insight on the relative influence of individual-level versus national-level factors in influencing our outcomes, including EM-DAT data on natural disasters (the number of climatological, geophysical, hydrological, and meteorological disasters in each country), ND-GAIN data on projected changes in hazards (future projections for heatwaves, flooding, and sea-level rises in each country), and WGI data on governance in each country. Using multilevel modelling techniques, we provide empirical validation of the effects of a list of factors that are theorised to shape climate and weather-based risk perceptions. The addition of random slopes (i.e. the intercepts is the same for all countries, but the slopes vary for each nation state) to our multilevel models also allows us to examine how the nature of the relationship of the identified factors and our outcomes varies by national context. The current findings highlight the dynamics between individual factors and larger environmental and governance contexts in shaping public risk perceptions of climate and weather. They form the basis for the future phases of our project development, which include the selection of several countries, representing different climate and social contexts, to use as case studies to test the effectiveness of early warning systems for disaster risk reduction. Our study and research findings offer important insights both for policymakers in crafting more effective, context-sensitive strategies for climate mitigation and adaption, and for national meteorological services in developing early warning systems for severe weather events.

How to cite: Thompson, J., Dessai, S., Jenkins, S., Siu, Y. L., Summers, B., and Taylor, A.: A multilevel analysis of public risk perceptions of climate and weather, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-20, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-20, 2024.

Approximately 1,100 television stations in the USA broadcast local news. Most – if not all – also broadcast weather information. According to a comprehensive 2023 survey, the “average” television station employs four weather people. Over the past five years, the number of active, degreed television presenters who hold the American Meteorological Society’s “Certified Broadcast Meteorologist” designation – the most recognized television weather certification – has shown steady growth, with the number of CBM’s now above 600. Additionally, over 400 weather presenters hold the National Weather Association Seal of Approval. While the public now has access to many sources of weather forecasts (e.g., phone apps, websites), television is still a substantial source of weather information. During periods of severe and high-impact weather, television dominates weather communication. Technological advances such as remote broadcasting capabilities, inexpensive remote weather cameras, and virtual studio weather sets have made television weather presentations more compelling than ever before. 

How to cite: Trobec, J.: Current state of TV weather in the USA   , EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-212, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-212, 2024.

The actualization of the Catalan meteorological glossary concluded in 2024. It has been based based on the original work of Fontserè (1948), a piooner work for disseminating weather in catalan language. The result has been an online terminology, including all new meteorological and climatological new terms that have been appeared from 1948 until now, related with current topics like climate change, climatic crisis, numerical simulation or teledetection, among other. They have been grouped in eleven meteorological families, from the original 840 terms to the near 2300 currently. The presentation aims to show two main goals. Firstly, to show the new online web glossary, which includes new and current terms not published yet in classical glossaries of meteorology, and also includes pictures for all those terms linked to the clouds and meteorological phenomena. The final result is an excellent tool for communicating the atmospheric science among different targets (media, scholar, ...). Secondly, to show the results of two pioneer analysis that have been done with the terms included in the glossary. The first has consisted in applying the diversity Shannon index to the whole terms grouped in the eleven meteorological families, to define a new index to quantify how the meteorological terms spread out in Catalan language, and comparing the original glossary of 1948 with the current one. This diversity Shannon index of terms is proposed as a new parameter to define any meteorological glossary, which can account how a certain language spread their terms along the 11 meteorological families. The second study has consisted in apply complex network theory to quantify and analyze the interconnected terms of the glossary.  

How to cite: Mazon, J., Pino, D., Hernández, A., Costa, M., and Luque, J.: The actualization of the Catalan weather glossary as a scientific tool for communicating atmospheric sciences: an analysis based on the diversity index of Shannon and the complex network theory., EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-420, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-420, 2024.

Weather warnings issued by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway) are communicated in many different formats and channels. The Yr weather service (www.yr.no), made in collaboration with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), is our main channel to the public. We also post on social media, where many news agencies and journalists pick up the warning message and put it on their front page. 

Every day a TV-meteorologist from MET Norway presents a weather forecast in the news at NRK. A detailed map of the different regions in Norway is shown and the TV-meteorologist has the opportunity to put warning symbols on these maps, in addition to the standard weather symbols. When MET Norway has issued a red or an orange warning the TV-meteorologist will have more time to cover the weather situations, e.g. showing a map layer with precipitation or wind. If there is an extreme event, the meteorologist is used as an expert in the studio. When dangerous weather occurs, it is important to communicate  how you prepare and what actions are needed. Since the TV-meteorologist is well known and has great credibility, the audience appreciates advice from the TV-meteorologist. 

In Norway we use a color system to explain the warning; from yellow to orange and red. Existing literature and studies shows that the color system used in warning services are intuitive for people. However, colors alone do not provide an intuitive understanding of what to do when you see a warning. To help people understand how to respond to a dangerous situation, weather warnings typically include additional information, such as possible consequences of the weather conditions and instructions on what to do. This appears to be helpful information to assess the meaning of a weather warning. Nevertheless, including consequences and instructions is not always enough to trigger an action. 

In an ongoing attempt to make the warnings more actionable, we have worked to improve communication from a plain language perspective. In this process, we moved from a focus on fixing single words and expressions, to a focus on structuring the warning with relevant and content-bearing headings and subheadings. For example, we replaced the subheading “Instruction” with the subheading “Difficult driving conditions” to help readers to understand and use the warning. The new and thematic headings and text modules are not yet implemented. However, they were generally well received in tests among various user groups. Early testing shows that the revised warnings provide the key messages, and give a quick situational awareness. Even though the focus in the project was not on TV, we think similar headings can be reused there, and in our social media channels, to strengthen the warning communication.

How to cite: Gislefoss, K., Sivle, A., and Finstad Svehagen, M.-L.: Plain language and warning communication in Norway, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-383, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-383, 2024.

In recent years, extreme weather events have led to more frequent coverage of climate change in many media outlets than it was previously the case. They are seen as chance for making climate change tangible and visible to the public, potentially catalyzing action across all levels of society. However, the reporting of such events also poses risks, for example the skewed emphasis on consequences over causes and solutions. The coverage of extreme weather events also carries the risk that media attention towards climate change fades away immediately once the event is over.

Previous research demonstrates that individuals' experiences of weather indeed serve as a 'sense-making device' for climate change (i.e., "You can see from the many warm winters that climate change exists"). Personal weather experiences are interpreted within the framework of existing attitudes towards climate change and have intersections and overlay-effects with media experiences ('media frames’). For example, the more an extreme weather event is discussed in context of climate change – especially within socially-relevant groups – the more it can affect climate change awareness. The state of research stresses the important role of weather forecasting in bridging the distance towards the issue and demonstrating the personal and local relevance. In this talk, the research question is addressed how TV coverage of extreme weather events in the year 2022 was perceived by audiences. How did it effect the audiences’ climate change awareness?

To answer the research question, an empirical study about German TV-audiences, which was conducted in October 2022. It includes a series of focus group discussions (n=42, period 26.-29.02.2022), and an online-survey ((n=1.145, October 2022), representative for Germany, and with a focus on extreme weather events. The results underline that personal experiences of such extreme events and media representations play pivotal roles in shaping individuals' perceptions of climate change. Approximately 50% of respondents reported a shift in their perception of climate change following the extreme weather events in summer 2022, with 37% attributing this change to media coverage. Through exploratory factor analysis, it becomes evident that media coverage of extreme weather reduces the perceived distance to the issue on multiple dimensions. Moreover, there exists a significant correlation between the perceived influence of media coverage and personal experiences of extreme weather events, suggesting a mutually reinforcing relationship between own observation and media portrayal. This reciprocal influence extends beyond mere perception, with media coverage of extreme weather events impacting individuals on multiple levels. The reporting of such events intensifies the immediacy of climate change, making it feel more tangible and immediate in people's lives and those of their closest social circles. Additionally, it heightens the perceived likelihood of climate-related occurrences and accelerates the perceived proximity of their consequences. These findings underscore the profound impact of media narratives in bringing the issue of climate change closer to individuals' lived experiences.

How to cite: Hoppe, I.: Media Reception and Effects of Extreme Weather Reporting: Opportunities and Risks in Climate Communication, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-1130, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-1130, 2024.

Recent assessments of the global state on climate services indicate significant advances in agrometeorological monitoring and forecasting over the last two decades. Rich and robust scientific literature demonstrates that agrometeorological information and services can support tactical and strategical decisions in the agricultural sector and increase farmers income and resilience both in developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, lack of appropriate and timely dissemination and communication procedures often reduces their value and effectiveness. Scarce interaction between producers and users is at the root of a communication gap preventing their accessibility and utilization. Indeed, agrometeorological information and services often do not cover the “last mile” – not reaching, not being understood, nor being trusted by smallholder farmers living in remote areas far from public services. The issue of communication doesn't solely reside in the type of media used and its format but also in accessibility, comprehensibility, and the trust users have in it. The ultimate goal is to ensure timely, equitable and effective communication of actionable agrometeorological information to all users, leaving no one behind.

This paper suggests that applied agrometeorology is definitely moving toward a paradigm shift from an information/product-centered perspective toward one centered on the user and their (his/her) specific needs. Consequently, the communication aspects are also adjusting, recognizing that there are specific channels and formats for different users. The evolution of communication strategies testify that technology has facilitated customization as well as greatly reduced dissemination time. However, there is a risk that new services are developed on a technology-centered approach rather than on users's real needs. This research provides insights on effective communication of agrometeorological information, focusing on developing countries. It reviews existing knowledge and offers lessons and case studies to address crucial questions such as ensuring access to agrometeorological advice, identifying efficient communication channels, exploring inclusive technologies, enhancing user understanding, making information usable for decisions, and obtaining feedback on information efficiency and effectiveness.

There are several methods to engage the stakeholders, ranging from basic desk research activities to more participatory and resource-intensive methods such as focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Whatever tool is chosen, the understanding of users and their needs should be an iterative learning process involving all stakeholders. The choice of the communication channel and format can significantly affect who and how many people receive or have access to the information. The increase in use of ICT provides an opportunity for quick dissemination at a wide scale, but there are often remaining challenges around access and understanding (related to factors such as gender, literacy and language), particularly for marginalized groups. Therefore, in developing countries rural radios remain the most effective broadcasting channels to cover the last mile, providing local content in local languages. Monitoring and evaluation applied also to the dissemination mechanism is a powerful mechanism to enable continuous improvement of the service in terms of accessibility and uptake of agrometeorological information by farmers.

How to cite: Tarchiani, V. and Gray, S.: Challenges and opportunities to communicate agrometeorological information for smallholder farmers in developing countries, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-41, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-41, 2024.

The Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss has the mandate to keep the Swiss population informed about the status of the local climate and climate change. For this purpose, MeteoSwiss is providing a series of recurring bulletins that appear on a monthly, seasonal and annual basis and in three national languages. These bulletins are mainly produced for the media as a blog post on the MeteoSwiss website (meteoswiss.admin.ch) and the MeteoSwiss smartphone app two days before the end of the respective period (preliminary data), and as a PDF for download on the website ten days after the end of the reported period (definite data). In addition, the recurring bulletins are accompanied by situational reports on weather events and climatological issues throughout the year.

Over the last twelve years, this variety of information has been published largely regardless of changes in the media landscape, publication channels, reading habits and user demands. A closer look at our portfolio of reports showed the following key findings:

• The main effort of written reporting on climate in Switzerland today lies in the recurring bulletins despite a great potential for automation.
• Several recurring reports build on each other, some of which are redundant.
• In recent years, there have been occasional bottlenecks in the resources available, particularly at the end of months or seasons when the recurring reports are due.
• Currently, there are major gaps in MeteoSwiss climate information, especially on the local scale (cantonal, communal) and in event reporting.
• The coverage of target groups shows that the focus of certain reports could be sharpened.
• The distribution channels for the individual bulletins and reports should be revised.

As a consequence of this analysis, MeteoSwiss is about to revise its climate communication. The long-term goal of the project is to automate the recurring bulletins as much as possible, in order to make more resources available for event reporting. The automation has other benefits, e.g., with regard to regionalization of climate information or by simplifying the adaptation of certain reports to different target groups. MeteoSwiss has already gained positive experience with automated reports (e.g., bulletin for energy management). Here, we show how we plan to automate the climate bulletins, which form the reports are expected to take, what tools we are planning to apply for this purpose and how we intend to intensify event reporting.

How to cite: Zubler, E., Anet, J., Bader, S., Collaud Coen, M., Duding, O., Giordano, A., Panziera, L., Posselt, R., Schlegel, T., Schwierz, C., and Croci-Maspoli, M.: Towards largely automated monthly and annual climate reports for Switzerland, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-74, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-74, 2024.

In 2023 areas in southern Europe experienced record-breaking high temperatures. With these events being dubbed Cerberus and Charon, debate has arisen in both the forecasting community and the media as to a) whether severe heat events should be officially named by meteorological services; and b) whether threatening/mythological names should be used. This study was undertaken as a step towards addressing the lack of empirical evidence on whether heat event naming affects public responses to heat protection messaging, and whether the nature of the name (mythological vs non-mythological) matters. We undertook online experiments with regionally representative samples in England (n=2152), where official storm naming exists but heat events are not currently named, and Italy (n=1984), where weather events are not officially named but where there is a tradition of unofficially naming anticyclones after figures from mythology or classical history. Participants were recruited through the market research company Cint and randomly allocated to view a hypothetical heat warning that referred to a forecast for an unnamed event (‘a heatwave’), a mythologically named event (UK=Heatwave Lucifer, Italy=A heatwave caused by anticyclone Lucifero) or a non-mythologically named event (UK=Heatwave Arnold, Italy=A heatwave caused by anticyclone Arnold).  Participants were asked to rate how severe they would anticipate the event to be, how concerning it would be, how much they would trust the message and their anticipated behavioural response. Multivariate Analysis of Variance tests indicated that English participants in the mythological name condition reported slightly greater anticipated severity and concern than in the no-name condition. However, while statistically significant the size of this effect was very small, accounting for less than 1% of variance in concern, with factors such as perceptions of the pleasantness of hot weather and concern about heat events increasing in the future having a much stronger effect. Amongst the Italian sample no statistically significant differences were found between those in the unnamed and mythologically named event conditions. However, the mythologically named event elicited slightly greater perceived severity, concern and trust than the non-mythologically named event. As with the English sample, size of the effect was, while statistically significant, very small. No effect on behavioural intention was found in either of the countries. Together, our findings suggests that naming in isolation only has a very small effect on anticipated response to heat messaging, and that the nature of this effect is dependent on cultural context.

How to cite: Summers, B., Taylor, A., Bellomo, P., and Dessai, S.: How concerning is Lucifer? Insights from an experimental study of public responses to heat event naming in England and Italy, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-153, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-153, 2024.

Our comprehensive international research, drawing opinions and data from weather presenters, National meteorological Services, IPCC scientist and policymakers,  across 100 countries, advocates for an expansive view of communication that includes traditional media and institutional communication strategies, as well as broader political and social action reflective of varied social, cultural, and economic viewpoints.

We propose a series of recommendations aimed at enhancing societal understanding of climate change and facilitating the decision-making process necessary for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of this global challenge.

Enhancing Public Engagement with IPCC Reports Through Key Summary Texts and Visual Aids

Future IPCC cycles could include, alongside each synthesis report, a document highlighting key scientific points crafted by scientific editors and communication experts. This initiative could standardize the dissemination of information, fostering a more informed and engaged global society regarding climate change issues.

Avoid negative or fear-inducing campaigns

Advocate for a communication approach that steers clear of fear-inducing messages, proposing instead that framing climate change communication in an optimistic and responsible tone could foster a more constructive public engagement and action.

The battle against conspiracy theories and conspiratorial thinking

A professional and effective communication strategy on climate change serves as an antidote to such misinformation, but combating the spread of conspiratorial thinking in society requires more directed action and further research.

Incorporating climate change education at all levels, including university education

The integration of subjects that enable an understanding of climate change into the existing curricula of elementary, primary, and secondary education. Furthermore, higher education is advised to incorporate transversal competencies in environmental knowledge and sustainability.

Grassroots sustainability action groups within professional and workplace communities

To foster the formation and action of grassroots groups within businesses and organizations to implement specific sustainability measures at their workplaces. While external regulations may encounter resistance, active participation by employees can create a sustainable movement that aligns with the company's mission and goals, offering a durable and integrated approach to combating climate change.

Informed Complex Governance by Climate Change Communication

The integration of complexity into policy creation and decision-making processes, advocating for direct and mutual communication among stakeholders with transparent information sharing, aiming to ensure inclusive interaction and contributions in climate negotiation spheres.

Adaptation as a Catalyst for Mitigation

Prioritizing adaptation as a primary strategy in the fight against climate change fosters a protective societal perception and awareness of risks, stimulating personal emission reductions and increasing policy demand for climate change mitigation measures. This bottom-up approach in societal and economic activities underscores adaptation as a crucial stimulus in combating the unwanted changes affecting our environment, advocating for adaptation-first strategies as an effective means to catalyze broader mitigation efforts.

How to cite: Molina, T. and Abadal, E.: Enhancing Strategies and Actions to Elevate Public Awareness and Optimize Decision-Making, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-211, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-211, 2024.

In this session Euronews science correspondent Jeremy Wilks discusses coverage of climate change in the mainstream media. Jeremy is the host of the Climate Now series, made in cooperation with the Copernicus Climate Change Service, and has been covering climate change on a full-time basis every month since September 2019. We will talk about story choice, explore how subjects are identified, locations decided, and interviews conducted. We look at how the broadcast media explains climate change science, and ask if the focus of climate change coverage is unduly skewed towards mitigation rather than adaptation. Why aren't mainstream media companies covering climate change stories better, and what are they doing to improve their content?

How to cite: Wilks, J.: What makes a good climate change story?  , EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-1110, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-1110, 2024.

In today's digital landscape, video communication has emerged as a powerful tool for bridging the gap between scientific expertise and public understanding. Social media platforms like YouTube, with their vast popularity, offer unique reach and engagement opportunities. However, traditional weather-related videos often fall short in explaining the nuances of forecasts and the inherent uncertainty associated with them. 

LaMMA, the public meteorological service of the Tuscany Region in Italy, has recognized this gap and taken a proactive approach to addressing it. Since 2020, LaMMA has increased video production (long and short videos) and have been hosting live streaming sessions directly from its weather room, known as LaMMA-Live. Inspired by the Met Office's popular weather briefings, LaMMA-Live goes beyond simply presenting forecasts. LaMMA-Live dedicates each Friday at 3:30 PM to delve into the intricacies of weather forecasting, particularly the concept of forecast uncertainty. Experts explain probabilistic forecasts and ensemble models to illustrate the complexity and inherent variability of weather predictions. This emphasis on uncertainty is especially crucial during severe weather events when clear communication of potential impacts is paramount. The sessions also serve as a platform to present climatological data and trends, fostering understanding of climate change at both global and local scales. LaMMA-Live not only informs but also fosters a connection with the audience. The live format featuring a communicator and a forecaster, with its immediacy and interactive nature, allows for a more engaging and personalized experience. Viewers can pose questions in real-time, encouraging dialogue and building trust between LaMMA's experts and the public. In addition, LaMMA Live streams on YouTube are very often picked up by online national newspapers and embedded in the body of a weather-related news article. In this way, the number of users reached is also significantly expanded.   In the last three years LaMMA weather forecasters have seen a significant uptick in interview requests from Italian national TV channels (Rai and Mediaset) likely due in part to the increased visibility gained through video streaming.

The growth of video communication has also transformed the way LaMMA's forecasting and communication teams collaborate. By leveraging online collaborative tools like Canva for Teams, the team has streamlined content production, significantly increasing the quantity and quality of weather and climate information products.

LaMMA's experience with video making and collaborative content production tools demonstrates the effectiveness of video communication in enhancing weather communication, particularly in conveying forecast uncertainty. By embracing the power of live streaming, interactive engagement, and collaborative workflows, evens a regional service like LaMMA is not only disseminating critical weather information but also fostering trust, transparency, and a deeper public appreciation for the science behind weather forecasting.

How to cite: Grasso, V., Betti, G., Tei, C., and Gozzini, B.: Enhancing Weather Communication: The Power of Live Streaming and Collaboration, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-447, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-447, 2024.

Thousands of research articles on climate change adaptation are published each year. Most of them contain figures and images that share scientific findings with interested audiences. These findings are important information for human adaptation to climate change and no one should be left behind. However, how many of these studies are paying attention to the color-blind audiences (about 300 million people worldwide) when designing and sharing scientific information through figures and images?

In order to answer this important question, we performed an analysis of highly cited studies from the Web of Science database on the topic of climate change adaptation in the last 30 years. Screening of papers was done by two independent reviewers and special focus was placed on the types of figures and images included in the studies and their representation elements such as color palettes and color contrast. The findings from this research can be useful for better communicating climate change adaptation to color-blind audiences as this is an important issue to address in order to ensure accessibility, avoid misinterpretation, enhance engagement, and fulfill our ethical responsibility to inclusivity in addressing climate change. Finally, we hope that this type of research will raise awareness among researchers and motivate them to pay attention when communicating climate change adaptation strategies and solutions to color-blind audience worldwide.

Acknowledgement: This research is supported by the project ClearClimate - “Engaging approaches and services for meaningful climate actions”. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101131220.

How to cite: Milošević, D. and Orero, P.: Communicating Climate Change Adaptation to Color-Blind Audience: Are We Paying Attention?, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-500, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-500, 2024.

The Norwegian State of the Climate Event, annually led by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, has transformed significantly  over the past 12 years. Originally a gathering reserved for collaborating institutes and, eventually, the press, it has evolved into a substantial public forum aimed at raising awareness about climate change and its societal impacts.

At the event, we provide updates on the global and national state of the climate, offering perspectives on where we are heading. Through presentations by meteorologists and climate researchers, attendees gain insights into climate patterns from the previous year, framed within a broader climatic context. We also spotlight various topics within climate change research that are pertinent to the preceding year or are current areas of investigation. This way, the event emphasizes the authority of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute regarding climate change and our trajectory. 

The primary audience for the event comprises decision-makers who need insights into preparing for the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Norway caused by climate change. Furthermore, the event's practice of inviting guest speakers from diverse institutes underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling the mounting challenges posed by climate change. 

Over the years, the event's format has grown and become more professional, attracting the attention of researchers, decision-makers, the media, and the general public. Thanks to the active involvement of the communication department, the content has been expertly crafted to visually engage the audience, ensuring that the event's message reaches a broader audience and leaves a more profound impact. Media is also an important target audience, and the event receives good press coverage.

Last year, the event achieved new heights by hosting at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, with the opening address delivered by the minister. The event was broadcast online to a record-high number of viewers, and its content was widely disseminated across various social media platforms.

This narrative traces the evolution of the event from its modest origins to a multifaceted, influential endeavor that resonates with experts, politicians, and the broader public alike.

How to cite: Gangstø, R., Velle, M., and Hygen, H. O.: The Norwegian State of the Climate Event, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-527, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-527, 2024.

While a plethora of climate data exists, e.g. from observational records or modelling experiments, much of this information remains unused in many cases and targeted action on climate change impacts is not taken. Why is that? What must be done to overcome this persistent challenge?

Climate change largely affects nearly all aspects of everyday life: water, energy, and food consumption, personal health (e.g., diseases, heat stress, allergens), work (e.g., concerning working conditions or commuting infrastructure), safety of life and goods (e.g., concerning natural disasters). Often, climate change strikes by altering the frequency or intensity of extreme events, changing seasonality or compounding multiple stressors temporally and spatially. For adaptation purposes, information on ongoing and expected climate change impacts are thus of utmost importance to, e.g., agriculture, water management, energy production and supply, emergency services, insurance, or health care.

Clearly, the exchange of relevant climate information between scientists, stakeholders and the general public is marked by a gap between what is provided and what is needed in real-world applications.

One of the main reasons is very likely missing communication between scientists and decision-makers. Furthermore, users often have limited knowledge and/or capacities or a different perception of the subject matter to convert the provided, often generic climate data into suitable information for very specific needs. This gap between demand and supply can be described in terms of temporal and spatial scales (e.g., provided information is valid for large areas, whereas users are interested in single fields), variable selection (e.g., when information is sought for variables that are not observed/produced directly), specificity of needs (e.g., climate models being designed for understanding the system instead of specific user applications), and consideration of uncertainty as opposed to the requirement for clear statements on trends.

In order to close this gap, communication between users and scientists requires a two-way format of co-creating (a) a viable form of information exchange and (b) the relevant information itself, while recognising the needs of users and capabilities of providers. This is to ensure that relevant information can be provided to users who are motivated to apply them – without the need for further postprocessing among the users. At the same time, creating data “into the blue” without actual usability can be avoided.

We here describe the offer--need gap and present possible strategies for closing it with examples from a central European region: Within the EU-project ARSINOE, the Main River Catchment, Germany, is one of 9 case studies for which scientists and stakeholders jointly develop strategies for fostering climate resilience. Promoting a productive exchange of climate change information between scientists and users is crucial to this effort.

How to cite: Böhnisch, A., Zilker, M., Beck, I., and Ludwig, R.: How can we make information on climate change actionable for users? , EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-659, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-659, 2024.

In the dynamic field of meteorological communication, the use of social media platforms has become an integral part. This work examines the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service's five-year journey with Twitter/X, YouTube, and Flickr, elucidating the rationale behind our platform selection and exploring the efficacy of our communication strategies. Our journey commenced with the utilization of Twitter as a real-time dissemination tool. The decision to embrace YouTube and Flickr raised from our commitment to diversifying content delivery and enhancing user engagement. Each platform offers unique advantages, from Twitter's/X’s immediacy to YouTube's visual storytelling capabilities, shaping our multifaceted approach to meteorological communication. Our methodology encompasses a range of tools tailored to the unique characteristics of each medium. From the integration of visuals to crafting concise messages, we leverage a diverse array of resources to effectively engage our audience.

Furthermore, our research extends to understanding the evolving dynamics of social media, particularly in the wake of Twitter's transformation into X. This shift prompted us to reassess our strategies and adapt to the changing ecosystem. We are actively considering the possibility of expanding our presence to other social networks, mindful of the need for platform suitability, resource availability, and alignment with our communication objectives. Additionally, we recognize the evolving preferences of younger audiences, who seek information in different ways, and are exploring tailored approaches to engage them effectively. We remain proactive in our approach, driven by a commitment to innovation and responsiveness to the evolving field of meteorological communication.

This work not only summarizes our successes but also the invaluable lessons learned from our experiences. By reflecting on our journey, we interpret the important role of social media in modern meteorological communication and offer insights into our best practices for engaging with media and other audiences.

How to cite: Špoler Čanić, K.: Adapting to Change: Social Media Dynamics and Meteorological Communication Practices, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-773, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-773, 2024.

Social networks play a key role in modern communication strategies. This also enables the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO) to quickly and efficiently share important information, such as weather forecasts, weather and hydrological warnings, monitoring current weather and hydrological events. With the help of platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, the agency can reach both the general public and target groups, increasing its relevance and presence among a wide circle of people. Social networks thus become a bridge between the agency and the general public, enabling two-way communication, immediate feedback, and greater transparency of the agency's activities.

In recent years, when information circulates faster than ever before, presence on social networks is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the reputation and influence of institutions like ARSO. By being actively present on these platforms, we can more easily spread their mission among a wider audience.

The summer of 2023 was extreme for several reasons. Slovenia was hit by August floods, and destructive storms occurred every few days. In the lecture, I will present the ARSO weather and ARSO water social networks and their presence on various channels during extreme weather and hydrological events.

How to cite: Klančar, M.: Role of Social networks in modern communication strategies, EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-1002, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-1002, 2024.

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has been actively involved in the equity space through various initiatives and commitments to foster inclusivity, diversity, and equity within its community and the broader field of atmospheric sciences. Since 1973, AMS has undertaken efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable environment, guided by its Board on Representation, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Diversity (BRAID) and the Culture and Inclusion Cabinet (CIC). These groups lead various initiatives and work to integrate equity, inclusion, and justice into all aspects of the society's activities​ (American Meteorological Society)​. These efforts reflect AMS's commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment that supports all its members and contributes positively to the field of meteorological sciences. We are committed to ensuring our Society is a place where everyone belongs.

In 2023, the AMS also conducted an Equity Assessment, a comprehensive process to integrate equity, inclusion, and justice (EIJ) into our programmatic activities and policies. This assessment aims to gather insights about the experiences of members, volunteers, and staff regarding EIJ, helping to foster a sense of belonging and guiding future actions. The process involves culture surveys and follow-up focus groups to understand and address the needs and challenges faced by the AMS community​. In this presentation, we will discuss the process we followed for this assessment and the critical findings, aiming to initiate a thoughtful discussion with our sister societies to build a more inclusive community in the Meteorological sciences. We hope to begin conversations that could benefit all societies and create a unified practice of belonging within our communities.

How to cite: Kafka, S.: The AMS Equity assessment consists of lessons learned and next steps., EMS Annual Meeting 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 1–6 Sep 2024, EMS2024-1033, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2024-1033, 2024.