| dc.description.abstract | Although there is a growing body of research on public perceptions of risk, related to natural hazards and climate change effects, little work has focused explicitly on public perceptions of how prepared people deem their local communities to be, related to natural hazards. Such knowledge is of great importance for the authorities, because of the need for public adherence and support for climate policy, mitigation, and adaptation.
Using representative survey data, this thesis examines public perceptions on what elements in their local community Norwegians consider most important, regarding the ability to cope with natural hazards. Furthermore, this study offers an analysis of several factors shaping individual perception of the overall disaster readiness of the local community. Using bivariate correlation and multivariate regression analysis, the study shed light on what are the most important indicators shaping public perception of the local community’s overall readiness, related to natural hazards.
The results show that Norwegians consider local contingency plans and local planning- and mitigation as essential components, with respect to the community’s ability to handle extreme natural events. However, the most important element according to the survey respondents is local knowledge about the natural- and built environment. This is a signal to authorities to foster public participation in mitigation and risk reduction management. Furthermore, the analysis shows that the perception of the local community’s preparedness is to a large degree influenced by attitudes related to climate change, natural hazards, and mitigation. The role of personal experience and exposure seems less important, although specific types of experiences seems to have an effect. | nb_NO |
