Topics


![]()
![]()
Handbook collection. Public Information and Warnings Handbook
The effective communication of public information and warnings is a critical element of emergency management, with the power to save lives. This handbook provides insight and guidance to people who have responsibility for communication with the public in the event of an emergency. The handbook presents nationally agreed principles for warning policy and practice and explores the essential elements and discipline of effective public information and warning delivery.
This handbook is designed to be of value across a wide range of hazards. Whether it is a natural hazard or weather ...
![]()
Available online: https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/handbook-16-public-information-and-warni [...]
Published by: Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience ; 2018
The effective communication of public information and warnings is a critical element of emergency management, with the power to save lives. This handbook provides insight and guidance to people who have responsibility for communication with the public in the event of an emergency. The handbook presents nationally agreed principles for warning policy and practice and explores the essential elements and discipline of effective public information and warning delivery.
This handbook is designed to be of value across a wide range of hazards. Whether it is a natural hazard or weather event, a public health emergency, or a hostile attack in an urban setting, the principles, importance and discipline of effective communication are broadly applicable.
The handbook aligns national disaster resilience strategy and policy with practice, notably the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience and Strategic Directions for Fire and Emergency Services in Australia and New Zealand 2017-2021, by guiding and supporting jurisdictions, agencies and other organisations and individuals in their implementation and adoption. It also responds to Recommendation Two of the 2014 National Review of Warnings and Information (ANZEMC 2015), to advance a national approach through improved knowledge management.
The scope of the handbook spans public information and warnings and has a specific and intentional focus on the delivery of warnings. Future revisions of the handbook will expand discussion to include relevant good practice on the provision of public information.
The handbook is not intended to be operational in nature. Organisations with responsibilities for the provision of warnings have local arrangements in place, tailored to their role and responsibilities.Collection(s) and Series: Handbook collection
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Disaster prevention and preparedness ; Guidelines ; Case/ Case study ; Flood ; Tsunami ; Australia
Add tag
No review, please log in to add yours !
![]()
![]()
Working as one : a road map to disaster resilience for Australia
Barnes Paul; Bergin Anthony; Nichola Daniel; et al. - Australian government publishing service, 2014This special report offers a roadmap for enhancing Australia’s disaster resilience, building on the 2011 National Strategy for Disaster Resilience. It includes a snapshot of relevant issues and current resilience efforts in Australia, outlining key challenges and opportunities. It sets out 11 recommendations to help guide Australia towards increasing national resilience, from individuals and local communities through to state and federal agencies.
![]()
Available online: https://www.aspi.org.au/publications/working-as-one-a-road-map-to-disaster-resil [...]
Paul Barnes ; Anthony Bergin ; Daniel Nichola ; Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Published by: Australian government publishing service ; 2014This special report offers a roadmap for enhancing Australia’s disaster resilience, building on the 2011 National Strategy for Disaster Resilience. It includes a snapshot of relevant issues and current resilience efforts in Australia, outlining key challenges and opportunities. It sets out 11 recommendations to help guide Australia towards increasing national resilience, from individuals and local communities through to state and federal agencies.
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Preventing and mitigating natural disasters ; Disaster prevention and preparedness ; Australia
Add tag
No review, please log in to add yours !
![]()
![]()
CAWCR technical report, 66. Observing, Estimating and Forecasting Rainfall: From Science to Applications - abstracts of the seventh CAWCR Workshop
The CAWCR Workshop is an annual event and brings together national and international expertise to highlight latest development in research relevant to CAWCR and its stakeholders. It provides an opportunity to identify gaps, opportunities, build relationships and enhance the quality, breadth and depth of our research efforts. The CAWCR Workshop is an annual event and brings together national and international expertise to highlight latest development in research relevant to CAWCR and its stakeholders. It provides an opportunity to identify gaps, opportunities, build relationships and en ...
Observing, Estimating and Forecasting Rainfall: From Science to Applications - abstracts of the seventh CAWCR Workshop
![]()
![]()
Available online: https://www.cawcr.gov.au/publications/
Event: Event: CAWCR Workshop 7th session (21 October - 23 October 2013; Melbourne, Australia)
Published by: Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research ; 2013The CAWCR Workshop is an annual event and brings together national and international expertise to highlight latest development in research relevant to CAWCR and its stakeholders. It provides an opportunity to identify gaps, opportunities, build relationships and enhance the quality, breadth and depth of our research efforts. The CAWCR Workshop is an annual event and brings together national and international expertise to highlight latest development in research relevant to CAWCR and its stakeholders. It provides an opportunity to identify gaps, opportunities, build relationships and enhance the quality, breadth and depth of our research efforts.
Collection(s) and Series: CAWCR technical report- No. 66
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)No review, please log in to add yours !
![]()
Available online: https://www.cawcr.gov.au/publications/
Published by: Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research ; 2013
Collection(s) and Series: CAWCR technical report- No. 64
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Precipitation forecasting ; Climate model ; Australia
Add tag
No review, please log in to add yours !
![]()
![]()
CAWCR technical report, 61. Improvements in atmospheric physical parameterizations for the Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS)
The Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS) is a new coupled ocean and atmosphere climate modelling system being developed at the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research (CAWCR). ACCESS uses the UK Met Office Unified Model (Met UM, Davies et al. 2005) as its atmospheric component, which is coupled with the GFDL Ocean Model version 4.1 (MOM4p1, Griffies et al. 2009) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory Sea Ice Model version 4.1 (CICE4, Hunke and Lipscomb 2010), using the numerical coupler OASIS3.25 (Valcke 2006). The development of ACCESS has followed ...
Improvements in atmospheric physical parameterizations for the Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS)
![]()
![]()
Available online: https://www.cawcr.gov.au/publications/
Published by: Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research ; 2013
The Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS) is a new coupled ocean and atmosphere climate modelling system being developed at the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research (CAWCR). ACCESS uses the UK Met Office Unified Model (Met UM, Davies et al. 2005) as its atmospheric component, which is coupled with the GFDL Ocean Model version 4.1 (MOM4p1, Griffies et al. 2009) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory Sea Ice Model version 4.1 (CICE4, Hunke and Lipscomb 2010), using the numerical coupler OASIS3.25 (Valcke 2006). The development of ACCESS has followed the implementation of the numerical weather prediction (NWP) system developed by the UK Met Office which uses the Met UM for atmospheric prediction with a 4-DVAR assimilation system [...].
Collection(s) and Series: CAWCR technical report- No. 61
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free), Hard copyTags: Observations ; Numerical weather prediction ; Climatology ; Meteorology ; Mathematical models ; Australia
Add tag
No review, please log in to add yours !
![]()
![]()
![]()
CAWCR technical report, 60. Defining heatwaves: heatwave defined as a heatimpact event servicing all community and business sectors in Australia
This report proposes a new objective definition for heatwaves and heatwave severity that may be applied to any location in Australia, or for that matter the world. Using this definition, it is now possible to compare severe and extreme heat events across time and space.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Adapting agriculture to climate change
This brief deals with adapting Australia’s agriculture to climate change, especially broadacre farming, and is based mainly, but not exclusively, on experiences in southern South Australia. It highlights key needs to support future adaptation, including investment in education, social science research, seasonal weather predictions and policy certainty and adaptability.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
A spatial vulnerability analysis of urban populations during extreme heat events in Australian capital cities
Monash University, 2013This study aims to provide an analysis of the spatial distribution of vulnerability of urban populations to extreme heat events in Australian capital cities at the present time, and to estimate future vulnerability in relation to projected climate changes.It provides a ‘tool’ to guide short-term, medium-term and longer-term heatwave adaptation policy.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Rethinking disaster risk management and climate change adaptation
Howes Michael; National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) - Griffith University, 2013This report investigates impacts of climate change, population growth, and urban coastal development on Australian environment, economy, and society, particularly in relation to bushfire and flood. The report aims to develop the foundations for a nationally consistent approach to disaster risk management and climate change adaptation that would be supported by a set of appropriate reforms to governing institutions and tools.
This is the final report of a research project entitled "The Right Tool for the Job: Achieving climate change adaptation outcomes through improved disaster ...
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Tropical Mesoscale Convective Systems
Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) occur globally and can account for significant percentages of the annual precipitation in some locations. MCSs are responsible for flooding as well as damaging surface winds in some instances. Thus, it is important for forecasters to understand when, where, and how MCSs develop and maintain themselves. This module covers all modes of MCSs with a strong focus on the tropics and the different aspects that brings to MCS development, maintenance, and structure. It describes conceptual models of MCSs and the dynamical and physical processes that influence their e ...
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Fire Weather Patterns in Australia: Southeast Australia
The module illustrates the typical synoptic pattern influencing fire weather in southeast Australia. A case study provides insight into how experienced forecasters combine the four key ingredients—wind, temperature, dew point temperature, and fuel state—to produce a fire danger index value and resulting forecast policy map. Then, a case exercise allows the learner to practice using weather and fuel data to create a fire weather forecast policy map for southeastern Australia.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Recent trends in and preparedness for extreme weather events: final report
This document is the final report of a Senate inquiry by the Environment and Communications References Committee looking at Australia’s extreme weather and asking if the country is ready. It looks at any emerging trends on the frequency of extreme weather events. Based on evidence on future projections of such events and on global warming scenarios of between 1C and 5C by 2070, the inquiry looks at the costs of extreme weather events and their impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure and human health. It also examines the “availability and affordability” of private insurance in disaster-prone are ...
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
From disaster to renewal: the centrality of business recovery to community resilience
RAI, 2013This document is the summary of the findings of Griffith University, which was commissioned by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) to examine the experiences and learnings arising from the communities that have experienced the challenges of recovering from and adapting to the impact of disasters. Four case studies were undertaken to research communities recovering from disasters such as cyclones, floods and bushfires.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Business and disaster risk reduction: good practices and case studies
UN/ISDR, 2013This publication contains 14 good practices and case studies that have been compiled by the Private Sector Advisory Group of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). Each of the 14 examples applies one or more of the five essentials for business in their pursuit of disaster risk reduction. It presents the various types of collaboration and cooperation, core to the all five essentials, that are positioned as critical in minimizing or potentially eliminating disasters as well as disasters’ effects on people, property and ultimately, the health, economy and resilience of wo ...
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Better laws, safer communities? Emerging themes on how legislation can support disaster risk reduction
IFRC, 2013This short pamphlet sets out some preliminary findings from a 2-year comparative study of legislation for disaster risk reduction in 26 countries.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Disaster response and climate change in the Pacific: country reports
Gero Anna; National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF); University of Technology - NCCARF, 2013This research paper examines the nexus between disasters, human health, and climate change in the Pacific in order determine methods of effective disaster response in a changing climate to enhance long term adaptive capacity. The aim of this paper is to identify gaps in post-disaster support and to disseminate information regarding those gaps among policy-makers so as to establish a society more resilient to disaster.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Disaster response and climate change in the Pacific
Gero Anna; National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF); University of Technology - NCCARF, 2013This research paper examines the nexus between disasters, human health, and climate change in the Pacific in order determine methods of effective disaster response in a changing climate to enhance long term adaptive capacity. The aim of this paper is to identify gaps in post-disaster support and to disseminate information regarding those gaps among policy-makers so as to establish a society more resilient to disaster.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Climate legislation study: a review of climate change legislation in 33 countries
CDKN, 2013This review of climate change legislation in 33 countries shows that developing countries are leading action on climate change. Overall, there has been significant progress in the climate and/or energy-related legislation of almost all major economies, but a great amount of the 2012 effort took place in emerging countries. In particular, among major economies Mexico and China are leading the action against climate change thanks to their recent steps to cut carbon emissions and raise energy efficiency. The study aims to support legislators advancing climate-related legislation by providing deta ...
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Investing in resilience: ensuring a disaster-resistant future
NCCARF, 2013This report examines the impacts on the built environment of increased intensities in weather-related natural hazard events, in order to identify the possibilities of using the regulatory mechanisms of building construction, housing insurance and planning in climate change adaptation. The research findings are restricted to these three aspects of the built environment, and further concentrated on adaptation responses that may be required in mitigation of the impacts of three types of hazards; tropical cyclones, floods and bushfires. Adaptation of the built environment to climate change is pred ...
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Past, present and future landscapes: understanding alternative futures for climate change adaptation of coastal settlements and communities
This document examines the past and present drivers of landscape change in north-east New South Wales, and designs and analyses several scenarios for the future in order to provide a quantifiable understanding of adaptation towards more resilient landscape futures that will minimize future climate event impacts on the basis of land use planning decisions that might be taken. The application of the proposed techniques is intended to provide powerful visualization for a range of long term planning outcomes relevant to governance and policy settings.
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
CAWCR technical report, 57. The Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange (CABLE) model Roadmap for 2012-2017
Law Rachel M.; Raupach Mickael R.; Abramowitz G. - Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, 2012The Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange (CABLE) model describes landatmosphere exchanges of energy, carbon, water and momentum, together with related biogeochemical, vegetation-dynamic and disturbance processes. CABLE is coupled with several climate models including the UKMO Unified Model as part of ACCESS1.3, used in CAWCR for IPCC AR5 climate projections. CABLE is also a key part of the Australian contributions to two international projects: RECCAP (REgional Carbon Cycle Assessments and Processes), and LUCID (Land Use Change, IDentification of robust impacts).
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
CAWCR technical report, 58. ACCESS Post-Processor Version 1.0
An important component of the submission of the ACCESS coupled model data to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) is publishing a comprehensive set of the CMIP5 requested data and ensuring the data meets the stringent CMIP5 format and quality requirements. CMIP5 specifies a standard for model output where each parameter is stored in a single NetCDF file and includes additional meta-data. These requirements are designed to make analysis of the data as straight forward as possible. This document describes the ACCESS Post-Processor (APP), and how it is used. The APP has been ...
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
CAWCR technical report, 51. Improvements in POAMA2 for the prediction of major climate drivers and south eastern Australian rainfall
Lim Eun-Pa; Hendon Harry H.; Langford Sally; et al. - Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, 2012Ocean-atmosphere interactions are key processes that drive seasonal climate variability. In the global sense, the atmosphere drives the upper ocean via heat flux, fresh water flux and wind stress (Anderson 2008). But in the tropics where the ocean surface temperature (hereafter, sea surface temperature, SST) is warm enough to trigger deep atmospheric convection, the ocean exerts strong controls on the atmosphere especially at longer time scales because of its slow variations and strong thermal inertia. Consequently, the highest predictability of atmospheric climate (e.g. temperature and rainfa ...
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
Building resilience for adaptation to climate change in the agriculture sector : Proceedings of a Joint FAO/OECD Workshop
FAO, 2012
Permalink![]()
![]()
![]()
CAWCR technical report, 50. On the sensitivity of Australian temperature trends and variability to analysis methods and observation networks
Fawcett R.J.B.; Trewin B.; Braganza K.; et al. - Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, 2012This report presents an exploration of Australian temperature trends and variability using the new Australian Climate Observations Reference Network (ACORN) Surface Air Temperature (SAT) dataset. We compare changes in nationally and annually averaged daily-maximum, dailyminimum and daily-mean temperature variability to a range of alternative Australian temperature analyses over the last 100 years (1911-2010).
Permalink