Websites about climate change
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Websites About Climate Change: An Overview
Climate Information Websites: Content and Quality
Climate information websites (CIWs) have proliferated rapidly, driven by the need for decision-scale climate data to inform policy and adaptation strategies. However, the content and quality of these websites vary significantly, often lacking a standardized code of practice. This variability creates an ethical and epistemic dilemma, as the information provided can have real-world consequences. Key issues identified include complex interfaces, jargon-laden content, and minimal guidance, which can hinder users from effectively utilizing the information1.
Tracking and Monetization: Pro-Science vs. Climate Denier Websites
Both pro-science climate change websites and climate denier websites employ similar strategies for monetizing their platforms and tracking user behavior. This includes the use of widgets, ad trackers, beacons, and analytics. The infrastructure supporting these websites highlights the significant role of big tech in creating an interconnected web of tracker technologies. The study advocates for a responsible approach to website development, emphasizing the need for transparency and stronger regulatory environments2.
MOOCs and Social Media: New Tools for Climate Change Education
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have emerged as a powerful tool for climate change education, enabling large-scale, interdisciplinary learning. These courses facilitate a global conversation about climate change, allowing diverse populations to engage in discussions about the problem, responsibility, and potential solutions. Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, also play a crucial role in shaping public opinion on climate change through topic modeling and sentiment analysis3 5.
Corporate Disclosure: Opportunities from Climate Change
Companies with higher environmental performance tend to disclose more information about opportunities arising from climate change on their websites. This trend is more pronounced in countries that have ratified international agreements like the Kyoto Protocol. Such disclosures are crucial for transparency and for informing stakeholders about corporate strategies related to climate change4.
Government Websites: Changes and Transparency
Government websites are a primary source of climate-related information. However, changes to these websites, such as the removal or alteration of content, can significantly impact public understanding. For instance, during the Trump administration, there was a notable decrease in the use of the term "climate change" on US federal environmental agency websites. Tools developed by civil society organizations help track these changes, promoting accountability and transparency6.
Comprehensive Climate Data Portals
Several comprehensive climate data portals provide valuable resources for understanding and addressing climate change. The World Bank's Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP) offers extensive data and tools for evaluating climate-related vulnerabilities and risks. Similarly, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provides open access to state-of-the-art climate data and tools, supporting a wide range of users from policymakers to private entities7 9.
Conclusion
The landscape of climate change websites is diverse, encompassing a range of platforms from educational MOOCs to government and corporate disclosure sites. While these websites offer valuable information, challenges such as content variability, complex interfaces, and transparency issues persist. Continued efforts to standardize practices, enhance user experience, and ensure transparency are essential for maximizing the efficacy of these online resources in addressing climate change.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Climate information websites: an evolving landscape
Climate information websites (CIWs) have potential for decision-scale climate information, but face ethical challenges, interface barriers, and user experience barriers, highlighting the need for improved development and community engagement.
A study of web ecology: The use of trackers on pro science climate change and climate denier websites
Both pro science climate change and climate denier websites use similar strategies to monetize their websites and track user behavior, highlighting the need for responsible website development and stronger regulatory environments.
A Massive Open Online Course on climate change: the social construction of a global problem using new tools for connectedness
MOOCs can facilitate a collaborative coproduction of climate change conversations, potentially reframing the issue and promoting solutions.
Study of some explanatory factors in the opportunities arising from climate change
Companies with higher environmental performance and from countries that ratified the Kyoto Protocol disclose more information on climate change opportunities on their websites.
Topic modeling and sentiment analysis of global climate change tweets
Climate change discussions on Twitter are generally negative, with diverse topics and varying sentiments, with the USA being less focused on policy-related topics compared to other countries.
Highly CitedVisualizing changes to US federal environmental agency websites, 2016–2020
Data visualization techniques can help track and analyze changes to US federal environmental agency websites, revealing 38% decrease in climate change use and 20% removal of access to key pages.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalReview of Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP): http://sdwebx.worldbank.org/climateportal
The Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP) is a comprehensive online resource for development practitioners to explore, evaluate, and synthesize climate-related vulnerabilities and risks, aiding in policy design and climate adaptation measures.
Climate Web sites
NOAA's climate Web site provides data on extreme weather events, global climate change, and satellite images, while the La Nina Home Page provides forecasts, data sources, impacts, and Internet links.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service: Climate Science in Action
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provides free access to state-of-the-art climate data and tools for governments, public authorities, and private entities around the world, enhancing climate science in action.
Online communication on climate change and climate politics: a literature review
Online climate communication has limited impact on the broader public, with stakeholders not being major players in online debates and limited impact on scientific information and debates.
Literature ReviewHighly Cited