ID: 1843
Presenting Author: Passanan Assavarak
Session: 663 - Climate risks assessment in the age of climate misinformation
Status: pending
Explores how climate misinformation shapes risk perception and resilience in Koh Kret, Thailand, proposing trust-based and participatory frameworks for credible climate risk assessment.
In an era where climate change collides with an “infodemic,” misinformation has become a major obstacle to effective risk assessment and local adaptation. This study examines how climate misinformation distorts public perception, erodes trust in science, and affects adaptive decision-making through the case of Koh Kret, a riverine island community in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Koh Kret faces multiple risks, including riverbank erosion, flooding, and ecological degradation, all intensified by climate variability. Yet inconsistent communication, fragmented institutional responses, and misleading narratives about causes and solutions have weakened collective preparedness. Grounded in social resilience theory and the sociology of risk, the study draws on qualitative field data—interviews with local leaders, residents, and policymakers—to explore how misinformation interacts with structural vulnerabilities. Findings reveal that misinformation acts as a “social amplifier of risk,” deepening uncertainty and delaying community adaptation. However, Koh Kret’s cultural capital, social networks, and participatory initiatives serve as counterforces that rebuild trust and strengthen resilience. The paper proposes a reflexive climate risk assessment framework that integrates scientific evidence, local knowledge, and transparent communication. By embedding trust-building and climate literacy into assessment practices, practitioners can bridge the gap between facts and fears, empowering communities to co-produce credible knowledge and foster adaptive governance in an era of uncertainty.
Dr. Passanan Assavarak, Head of Social Sciences and Humanities at KMUTT, researches climate change, community resilience, and participatory approaches to sustainability and inclusive development.