Decision support for adaptive action – assessing the potential of geographic visualization

Abstract

This study explores the role of geographic visualization for supporting the implementation of climate change adaptation. Interviews and group discussions with planners and decision makers indicate that geographic visualization bears primary potential for communicative purposes. In order to respond to analytical needs a high level of interactivity including the exploration of background data and the ability to link the tools with own databases were some of the key requirements made by the participants. The study concludes that more than better climate predictions, awareness and involvement may be precisely what is needed to narrow the implementation gap in climate change adaptation.

Keywords:

• climate change adaptation
• implementation
• geographic visualization

Acknowledgements

We want to thank Dr Erik Glaas as well as two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments on a previous version of this manuscript.

Notes

1. Public vs Private can also be interpreted as expert vs layman

2. A position as well as a Norwegian Government agency (www.fylkesmannen.no/eng).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Norwegian Research Council [grant number 235490] and by the Norden Top-level Research Initiative sub-program “Effect Studies and Adaptation to Climate Change” through the Nordic Centre of Excellence for Strategic Adaptation Research (NORD-STAR).