Abstract
There is a growing need to collaborate at national and European level for solutions connected with risks and problems due to climate changes. This need is leading to creation of Web platforms in which experts, stakeholders, decision-makers and overall citizens can collaboratively share information. This common information space on the Web can be used for planning, managing, evaluating and using services devoted to the protection and safeguarding of critical infrastructures (i.e. the supply of energy and water, sewage system maintenance). Keeping this purpose in mind, the chapter proposes a framework that provides a web-based collaborative opportunity for decision support, program management and collaboration for climate adaptation, mitigation and citizens’ education.
TopBackground
Global warming is a reality as evidenced by Bowermaster (2007). These include the following:
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the Average temperatures that have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit around the world since 1880,
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the rate of warming that is increasing: according to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports “11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850” (United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007).
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the Arctic that is feeling the effects: according to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report “the Average temperatures in Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia have risen at twice the global average” (ACIA, 2004).
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the Arctic ice that is rapidly disappearing,
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the glaciers and mountain snows that are rapidly reducing themselves,
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the coral reefs that suffered the worst bleaching ever recorded in 1998, with some areas seeing bleach rates of 70 percent,
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the upsurge in the amount of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, wildfires and strong tropical storms.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Risk Management: Is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events
Global Warming: Is the increase in the average temperature of Earth’s near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation.
Risk Communication: Is an interactive process of exchange of information and opinion among individuals, groups, and institutions. It often involves multiple messages about the nature of risk or expressing concerns, opinions, or reactions to risk messages.
Web Platform: Is an application that facilitate interactive information sharing, interoperability and collaboration on the World Wide Web.
Climate Changes: Is a change in the statistical distribution of weather over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years.
Crisis Management: Is the process by which decision makers deal with a major unpredictable event that threatens to harm the population.