Title: The effectiveness of climate change communication and information dissemination via the internet: experiences from the online climate conference series

Authors: Walter Leal Filho; Franziska Mannke; Evangelos Manolas; Abul Quasem Al-Amin

Addresses: Research and Transfer Centre 'Applications of Life Sciences', Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Lohbrügger Kirchstr. 65, D-21033 Hamburg, Germany ' Research and Transfer Centre 'Applications of Life Sciences', Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Lohbrügger Kirchstr. 65, D-21033 Hamburg, Germany ' Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 193 Pantazidou Street, 68200 Orestiada, Greece ' International Business School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Iman, 81300 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia; Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: Despite the importance of and the need for using internet-based approaches to promote information and raise awareness on climate change, there is a paucity of initiatives which may foster this cause on a long-term basis. This article presents the concept, approaches, methods, experiences and results from an online climate change conference series led by the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg), which, since its inception in 2008, has engaged over one million participants in over 150 countries. Covering a wide range of topics including water use, disasters management, and technologies, the online climate change conferences provide useful insights on matters which may be considered, in ensuring climate change can be successfully communicated via online tools.

Keywords: climate change communication; information dissemination; internet; online climate conferences; online communication.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2015.071578

International Journal of Global Warming, 2015 Vol.8 No.1, pp.70 - 85

Received: 11 Jan 2014
Accepted: 07 Mar 2014
Published online: 02 Sep 2015 *

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