Analysing Social Media Use during Natural Hazards: Improving Crisis Communication

Australia has a very changeable climate, but climate change has led to an increase in extreme weather events in recent decades. Bushfires, floods and heatwaves have occurred on an unprecedented scale. In the event of such natural disasters, the public needs reliable information about the situation and recommendations for action to protect themselves. Such information is not only disseminated via traditional channels, but also via social media, the necessity and effectiveness of which has been confirmed by various studies. Germany is also increasingly feeling the consequences of climate change, such as the flood disaster of July 2021, rising temperatures and a shift in the timing of seasonal events. With the prospect of more frequent and severe natural disasters, this project addresses the need for efficient and targeted information dissemination in situations that pose a risk to the general public.
The project draws on the experience and expertise of scientists at Charles Darwin University and Paderborn University. The strategy to be developed will improve the ability of authorities and organizations with emergency management responsibilities, such as police, fire and government agencies, to effectively manage sudden climate-related events.
 

Project duration: 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2024
Contact: Jonas Rieskamp