Public expectation as an element of human perception of climate change
| Résumé |
Human expectations regarding weather and climate sometimes lead to
perceptions of climate change which are not supported by
observational evidence. This paper analyses two very characteristic
complaints about current climate in Switzerland, i.e., the lack of
snow in winter and the lack of sunshine in summer, through a
statistical investigation of climatological data. As one major
problem of public perception of climate in mid-latitude regions is
linked to the strong variability of the climatic parameters, the
paper suggests means of presenting climatic data which include a
measure of this variability. Such presentations would help overcome
the common confusion between the terms 'weather' and 'climate', and
stress the fact that short-term extreme events are not necessarily
indicative of a long-term shift in climate. |
| Citation | Rebetez, M. (1996). Public expectation as an element of human perception of climate change. Climatic Change, 32(4), 495-509. |
| Type | Article de périodique (Français) |
| Date de publication | 1996 |
| Nom du périodique | Climatic Change |
| Volume | 32 |
| Numéro | 4 |
| Pages | 495-509 |