Health And Healthcare Programs In Southeast Asia

Designed for healthcare by healthcare specialists, Infor Healthcare solutions are utilized by greater than 5,000 organizations to scale back prices, enhance care, and lower risk. Obtainable on premise or within the cloud, this suite for healthcare business and integration serves the broad spectrum of hospital and outpatient health suppliers, health plans, and medical technology and device firms. No randomized, controlled trials (the gold commonplace of scientific studies) have proven apitherapy has any health advantages in humans. This lack of evidence is why Dr. Clay Jackson , vp of the board of the American Academy of Ache Administration, instructed Enterprise Insider that individuals shouldn’t try apitherapy as their first choice for issues without consulting their physician.

Consumer Rights and Responsibilities Put together a T chart utilizing pages 398-four hundred in Textbook On the Left facet write the 12 consumer rights and duties on the best side explain them in easy terms and provides no less than one example. Whether or not you are a keep at dwelling mom or are planning to return to work, it is vitally convenient. Most companies allow time and a suitable space for the breastfeeding mom to pump or nurse her child. Breast pumps are superior today, so most ladies can pump breastmilk in a really brief period of time.

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e). After publication, the corresponding writer will obtain two copies of printed journals, free of cost. A well written article. Although I disagree along with your conclusions, I do agree that the problems you’ve pointed to in Ameican healthcare are serious. After wanting up all the odds and numbers-of-increase with the US Division. of Labor, BLS, and various stats businesses, I seen that the job title listed first within the article was one that will likely increase considerably in numbers, however these numbers will be overtaken by a more excessive-tech job title by the tip of a ten-year interval examined.

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The Continuing Importance of Learning Japanese

Despite being overshadowed by the economic rise of countries like China and India, Japan remains the second largest economy in the world and hence learning Japanese can be an important skill. Japanese exports of automobiles and other manufacturing goods are increasing. Japan remains an economic powerhouse of Asia still exceeding China in economic output and second only to the United States in total gross domestic product. Japan is especially known for its engineering and manufacturing strengths which continue to buttress the importance of Japanese on the world stage. Over 140 million people speak Japanese. Japanese can open doors to employment in a variety of occupations such as in virtually any business related to the semiconductor industry, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, certain agricultural industries, teaching, translation, interpreting, and travel.

In the United States it can also lead to an increase rapport with Japanese employees especially in the engineering field, that may be learning English or with contacts with Japanese companies abroad. In a culture marked by a very traditional culture, learning Japanese greatly improves your chances of success in job markets dealing with Japanese companies. Studying Japanese can be a fun task, as well as an important one.

Even if your simply a casual traveler, learning it can also be beneficial since most of the sign boards and instructions in Japan are naturally written in Japanese, though English is common. Studying the language to order food, communicate with locals and talk with taxi drivers will enhance the experience of your travels significantly, if travel is your primary goal. Studying Japanese is one step to joining the ranks of businesses oriented toward the growing market of South America. Japanese is one of the great languages of the world. Studying the language is becoming part of a world-class education.

Japanese is spoken in Japan as well as in communities of Japanese émigrés. Japanese is not an easy language to learn and there is no single method can insure that the proficiency will be achieved without investment of time. This is especially true since Japanese is written in Kanji script. So it's important to vary your resources to insure that you maximize your language learning experience. Choosing the right course or methodology is of course critical and that can make learning the language a relative cake walk or much more difficult. Much importance should be given to the accent and pronunciations.

Studying Japanese doesn't require expensive personal tutors. So you want to be careful not to end up paying more money than is necessary. It is an ongoing process. While you can't learn the language overnight, you can find resources that may give you an edge time wise and simply the amount of effort you exert. A critical challenge to remember is that of vocabulary.

Having used different books and courses to learn to read Japanese I found several to be of benefit. The most valuable ones were those who made sure to present new vocabulary first. In the case of Japanese, the most time will likely be spent on the script. Then a story utilizing this new vocabulary in conjunction with previously learned vocabulary was presented.

In terms of audio, a variety of excellent courses are available.

Jacob Lumbroso is a world traveler and an enthusiast for foreign languages, history, and foreign cultures. He writes articles on history and languages for http://www.usedpimsleur.com and recommends Japanese Pimsleur courses to learn Japanese.

Trance Music


Month: January 2016

Mom Wanted the Satellite Dish on a Pole in the Ground

My mom told me she would never get satellite TV because of the dish. I looked up and down the street on her block. It looked to me like most of her neighbors already had it. She just did not want the dish on her house for some reason. Well, I did not have a problem with it at my house. I contacted Direct TV in Aledo months ago. That is what got mom talking about it. She looked at my satellite bill I had setting out on the table. It is less than what she pays for cable. She likes it better than cable. However, she had all kinds of worries about a dish being on her roof.

She said it might cause a leak or attract lightning. Never mind that old TV antenna that is still up there on their roof! I called Direct TV in Aledo again and asked them if they could put the dish on a pole in the ground. Mom paid a few extra bucks for that type of install, but it worked for her. The dish is in her flower garden surrounded in the back by field grasses from South America and Black-Eyed Susan’s and Purple Coneflowers in the front. She wanted to “camouflage” the presence of the dish. The installer showed her not to block the line of sight by not planting things that were too tall in front of it.

Mom is happy now. She has a dish you can barely see in her yard, and she has all the channels that I have at my house. All it took was not having the dish put up on her roof. DirecTV does all kinds of non-standard installations. They have solutions for flat roofs, ground installs and pretty much any other place someone might need to put the actual satellite dish for one reason or another. Just ask them.


New Updated UREI 210 Classes Begin This Fall

UREI 210 Okuden: Usui Reiki Inner Teachings
(Level 2 for Intermediates)

$ZERO (104 Hours) FIFTY-TWO 2.0 hrs. Seminars
Cost of class is free, however students will need to purchase associated class materials unless a need be greater. Students are encouraged to make a donation to any local community organisation such as Black Lives Matter, Citizen Action NY, the Albany Social Justice Center, Albany Free School, Grafton Peace Pagoda; or Densho, a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving, educating, and sharing the story of World War II-era incarceration of Japanese Americans in order to deepen understandings of American history and inspire action for equity.

This class is offered as an ecourse and locally with an interactive online component. Level 2 focuses on mental-emotional healing as you learn how to connect to the heart center. This course expands from an initial 2-day workshoppe, which will give each student hands-on practice and facilitate a better understanding of True Love, and True Suffering. Okuden clears negative emotion and thought patterns, assists with addictions, and heals past lives. It is at this level that the student learns and practices Shodo & Sumi-e Calligraphy, seasonal patterns of chi, distance healing, and Karmic healing via the Power, Harmony, and Distant Healing Symbols. Students will be required to complete 20 hours of community service to include 1-hour unpaid reiki therapy sessions. In order to receive certification, students will keep a journal documenting a Usui 21-day detox for purification and energetic clarity over the period of this 52-week course.

Click Here for the current Syllabus:
UPDATED 7/4/17: UREI 210 Okuden Syllabus

Shinpiden Usui Reiki Hikkei – Makafushigi: The Mystery

Shinpiden Usui Reiki Level 3 for Masters
$265 (49 Hours) TWO 5-hour days, followed by THIRTEEN 3 hrs. Seminars

This class is offered as an ecourse and locally with an interactive online component. The Third Level focuses on spiritual healing as you learn how we are expressions of the Divine Source, how our movements are an aspect of this greater movement. It is at this level that the Usui Master and Grounding Symbols, as well as other nontraditional symbols are taught. Shinpiden prepares students to pass along the Reiki tradition, and this is where students take Reiki Vows possibly for the first time in their lives. Students will also learn the skill of Chado Tea Ceremony. This course expands from an initial 2-day workshoppe, which will give each student hands-on practice and facilitate a better understanding of what it means to become a Sensei. Students will be required to complete 10 hours of unpaid reiki therapy and 5 hours of community service at a local place of worship, garden, park, hospital, homeless shelter, nursing home, or non-profit. In order to receive certification, students will keep a journal documenting a Usui 21-day detox for purification and energetic clarity; and 40-day challenge, over the period of this 13 month course.

PREREQUISITES: Usui Reiki 1 Certification , Usui Reiki 2 Certification, and Advanced Usui Reiki Certification from me or another Reiki Master Teacher. However, an interview tea will need to be completed to see where you and your studies are currently at. You may not be ready for this level, or perhaps will be better suited to a higher level of course study.

REQUIRED Third Degree class materials include:

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  • Completion of all the above PREREQUISITE materials
  • Holistic Arts Institute Usui Reiki Level III Handbook (2012) (PDF File)
  • Gaian Tarot deck by Joanna Powell Colbert
  • The Mindfulness Survival Kit: Five Essential Practices by Thich Nhat Hanh
  • After the Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfield
  • Buddha in a Teacup: Contemporary Dharma Tales b Todd Walton
  • The Teacup & The Skullcup: Where Zen and Tantra Meet by Chogyam Trungpa

A Letter from Me to You

Being a Reiki Sensei is simple, but not easy.

It is doing everything we have done before, but differently.

When we begin exploring Reiki, we study, read, and consume knowledge like it is candy. Then, we slowly realize that this is not just a one day, or a one 21-day thing. We slowly realize this is going to take work, and sweat, and many tears, and even a stronger sense of humour. Because not only do we study, read, consume knowledge like it is candy, but we do. We do the exercises, we do what the great teachers and books say. We do the meditations; we make the necessary lifestyle changes for our health. And then, we walk our talk.

We study, read, consume, do, and then LIVE what we have learned and continue to learn. Being a Master Teacher is like being a student all over again, but with insight. It is having done it and breathed it and lived it, but continuing to do it, breathe it, and live it.  It is having eyes to See, words to Speak, noses to Smell, ears to Listen, hearts to Love, and hands to Touch the world. We have grown and grown to accept that yes we are mentors and examples, but that we are also human.

We have bad days just like everyone else.

We cry, we yell, we get bad. We break up, we drink, we may even cuss. But we also love, unconditionally, and nurture ourselves and are kind enough to ourselves, because we Know- capital K, that we are still human.

We don’t go around wearing all white and throwing glitter. We aren’t now magically exempt from the suffering of the world because we are Master teachers. We are the wounded warriors of the soul. Through all the other levels and the more to come, we have become members & now leaders of the Scar Clan. With each passing day, we have grown to carry more and more of the suffering of the world in our hands, but we do not allow it to bog us down. Because as Master Teachers, when we peer into the darknesses of the world, and within ourselves, it is not that we are no longer afraid, it is that we know we have the cajones & ovarios enough to persevere and jump into the thick of it regardless.

Yes, to be a Teacher we have much work to do for others and the Universe, but especially for ourselves. Because yes, we may be “Masters,” but we have not yet reached mastery. But as Masters, we Know; we know that we do not have to do it alone.

Back to the Training

Each student will Master the following Coursework over the course of the following year at different Reiki Dharma Seminars:

  1. Reverence for Life 301
  2. True Happiness, Love & Intimacy 301
  3. Deep Listening & Loving Speech 301
  4. Nourishment & Healing 301
  5. Global Ethics 301
  6. Mystical Laundry 301 (In One Voice Documentary)
  7. Forgiveness & Reconciliation 301
  8. Mature Spiritual Language & Awakened Emotions 301
  9. Laughter of the Wise 301
  10. Reiki Ceremony & Ritual 301
  11. Chado: The Way of Tea 301 (Fieldtrip)
  12. Dharma Tales 101
  13. Oxherding 101

Each student will be attuned to Reiki 3 at the end of each training. The attunement is a process that happens between the Reiki Master/Teacher and the student. As the auras of the two people meld together, the student’s energy channels open and obstructions or blockages start to release. Each time a person receives an attunement, a larger percentage of this density releases. With less obstruction, the light of the Universe flows brighter and more in phase, like a coherent laser beam. Each Reiki Master has their own way of passing attunements, and various methods are valid. I just so happen to attune people at a Buddhist Temple sometimes. You needn’t be Buddhist or even religious to participate. All faiths/non-faiths are welcome!

Japanese Tea Ceremony Location TBD, possibly at Kaji Aso Studios in Boston, MA.

  • Gaian Tarot deck
  • A notebook and pen.
  • A crystal of your choice for concentration.
  • A healthy lunch, and water/tea bottle.
  • A walking stick (not required)
  • A yoga mat (not required)

TRAINING COST: The training cost of the first day is $150 and non-refundable to help pay for course materials and time. (You will need to PREPAY a $60 depsoit for your Book Bundle and to secure your spot.) Each of the other Trainings will be $10 US. Other training out there can be very expensive, and so in a way to help and teach everyone of every financial situation I have created the above price, alternative payment options and this Scholarship.

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Shinpiden Book Bundle – $80 US
Tuition – $180 US
Training Room Fee – $5 US
Monthly Reiki Dharma Seminars – Included with Tuition (Series of 13 Above)

If you for some reason miss a class, you will automatically be added to the next month’s training date, and an additional $35 US (Reiki Dharma Seminars $10 US) will have to be charged. Of course things come up and happen, however I have to secure and maintain the training space and this allows us to keep running. If students never showed up, we would not be able to maintain the center.

Please be considerate and respectful of other students and your teacher.

  • Completed Reading of Shipiden Book Bundles
  • Complete the 21-day Detox
  • Complete the 40-Day Challenge
  • Complete 10 Hands-on & Distanced Practicum Practice Sessions
  • Complete 10 Practicum Attunements
  • Complete PROJECT: 50 Random Acts of Kindness & Gratitude, includes 3 Peace Vigil Walks
  • Complete PROJECT: Sacred Retreat
  • Complete Individual Reiki Vows
  • Complete all 13 Reiki Dharma Seminars (See above for course list)
  • Complete Oral Presentation (10 Question Final Exam)
    Study Guide will be provided.

COURSE SYLLABUS: The goals for the first day’s training will be that the Student will be able to:

  1. Explain the meaning of Sensei.
  2. Explain the meaning of Bodhisattva.
  3. Describe the role of the Reiki Master/Teacher.
  4. Explain the intent of Dai-Ko-Myo.
  5. Explain the intent of Raku.
  6. Explain the intent of Tibetan Dai-Ko-Myo.
  7. Explain the intent of Kriya.
  8. Explain the intent of Nin-Giz-Zida.
  9. Describe the applications for the symbols.
  10. Explain the happenings of a Spiritual Upgrade.
  11. Explain the intent of attunements.
  12. Describe the preparation for passing hands-on attunements.
  13. Demonstrate how to pass hands-on attunements.
  14. Apply the hands-on and distanced attunement methods in daily practices.
  15. Describe the process for sacred space, sacred object, and healing attunements.
  16. Explain the significance for Reiki Certificates.
  17. Explain the significance of good Reiki reference materials.
  18. Explain the significance of charging for Reiki classes.
  19. Explain the importance of being prepared when learning/teaching Reiki.
  20. Explain the importance of sharing when learning/teaching Reiki.
  21. Explain the importance of letting others share when learning/teaching Reiki.
  22. Explain the importance of taking lots of breaks when learning/teaching Reiki.
  23. Explain the importance of drinking lots of water while learning/teaching Reiki.
  24. Explain the importance of knowing one’s limits when learning/teaching Reiki.
  25. Explain the importance of relaxing and having fun when learning/teaching Reiki.
  26. Define miracle as it applies to Reiki healers.
  27. Describe the practice of Imagery in Healing.
  28. Describe the practice of Reiki Shamanism.
  29. Explain the meaning of Lightworker.
  30. Explain how the human heart is a source of intelligence.
  31. Define Spiritual Avatar.
  32. Explain how Reiki is a part of planetary healing.
  33. Apply the Unified Heart technique in daily practice.
  34. And SO MUCH MORE…

Learning to become a Master is a process. It takes time, dedication, and diligence. It takes patience of the Self and of the world. Every student in my opinion is a Master-in-Training. Everyone is a Master and my students are just as much my own Teachers as I am theirs! Once again students are asked to develop their personal practice before moving on to the Fourth Level of Shihan Secret Teachings. (COMING SOON!)

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Being Attuned to Usui Reiki 1

This morning I slept in, cleaned my room, did some laundry, and proceeded to take a sacred shower. I got out, dried off, and misted myself with some Rose, Rosemary, and Grapefruit essential oil mist I had made for the occasion; because today, I prepared for my first attunement in Reiki.

I sat in lotus position, turned on my playlist with Loreena McKennitt, lit my candles and incense, and added a few tarot cards for visualization. I opened myself up, began my rhythmic breathing, and allowed myself to be swept away…

This process is more of a initiation  where a Reiki Master facilitates a release of obstructions in the student’s energy channels and aura. This is where the students built up issues from their life begin to release and lift up. It opens and aligns what is already a part of the student. It is a sacred moment of moving from one phase of life towards another, and in studying Usui Reiki, there are three main attunements that occur before one then becomes a Master teacher  her/himself.

During this initiation meditative state, the student can experience many different things, one of which is the characteristic warmth/heat of hands that goes along with healing-touch.

For me I saw many different waves of moving colour. Some were circle rings that moved like water in and out, some where wave movements and still, others formed images. Some were rainbow, some were bright green and turquoise blue. Some were purple with stars behind the colour. It was a pretty trippy fireworks show.

Physically, I felt several things. There was a slight pain/crack on the top right of my head that burned down to the base of my occipital bone.

Then it slowly went down to my chest center like a running stream of water, down into my solar plexus which felt like electrical pangs of hunger, and then finally down to both my feet, which tingled as well as felt warm.

My left hand felt like I was holding a fire ball, and my right felt like I was holding a snow ball. Each had an electrical feel, and also a warm pulsating static electric feeling. You know that feeling when you’ve just come in from a really long hike in the winter time? When your hand feels so cold that it feels hot? That’s my best explanation of how that went.

After the hour long meditation, I simply looked in the mirror and noticed my eyes were a little teary.

My face felt warm and plump as if I had just been the gym. As I touched my face with my fingers, it was as if I was saying hello to a long lost friend. I paused my meditation music, layed down for a moment to soak it all in. I felt happy, strong, and at peace.

I felt warm, hungry, alive, yet also a little tired. As if I was only partially here and there, but what is odd is that I felt as grounded as I ever have before.

I drank the glass of cold water I had poured for myself afterwards, and just let it glide down my throat. It woke me up a bit and ignited my cravings for a nice big lunch.

So, now I am sitting here, eating some leftover mushroom, red tomato, chicken and farfalle with a tasty fresh slices of mozzarella, basil and tomatoes with a balsamic vinaigrette. My taste buds thank me. My belly definitely thanks me. And my heart thanks me as this amazing journey towards healing begins.

After sharing what I experienced with my teacher, she responded:

Hello Derek, Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂

I discovered that your chakras were already very clean and balanced.  I detected just a few teensy dark flecks in the area of the left solar plexus, and in the area of the physical pancreas.  Most likely these were just indications of being a bit hungry.

It is also apparent that you have already established a strong connection through your Gaia or Earthstar chakra.  This would make perfect sense though with the shamanic work you have been doing in the lower world.  I see these energies as infrared light with a dynamic oil slick quality to them.  They impart an extremely subtle pinkish oil slick quality to the lower three chakras…
I am glad to know that you are nurturing yourself well following your attunement.


Regional Environmental Change

, Volume 14, Issue 1, pp 91–101 | Cite as

Adaptation to extreme weather: identifying different societal perspectives in the Netherlands

  • Eleftheria Vasileiadou
  • Matthijs Hisschemöller
  • Arthur C. Petersen
  • Wilco Hazeleger
  • Channah Betgen
  • Iris de Hoog
  • Erik Min
Open Access
Original Article

The intensity and occurrence of extreme weather events are expected to change with climate change. This change necessitates adaptive responses to extreme events, which need to take into account different societal perspectives, in order to be robust. In this paper, we explore the perspectives of different social actors in the Netherlands with respect to extreme weather events and ways to adapt to these events. The paper reports on a set of 41 interviews, using the repertory grid technique. The results were analyzed, to identify (a) the perspectives that stakeholders hold as most important for adaptation to extreme weather events; (b) the determinants of differences in perspectives. We find six different perspectives, all of which prioritize different adaptive actions. Producing robust adaptive responses which include different perspectives is therefore not a straightforward matter and is likely to result in win–lose situations. Further, differences in perspectives were not closely related to different sectors the interviewees belonged to. Thus, the traditional approach of involving different sectors to discuss and produce adaptation measures may be too limiting and needs to be supplemented to involving actors with different perspectives. The level of concern and level of information influenced the ways interviewees perceive adaptation priorities for extreme weather events. Participation in information events does not always result in perceived need to prepare for extreme events, something that adaptation communication needs to take into account.

Extreme weather Perspectives Adaptation Repertory grid The Netherlands

Climate change is expected to have an impact on the likelihood of the occurrence and duration of extreme weather events, such as extreme precipitation, heat waves and extreme drought, but possibly also snow storms, tornadoes and hail; however, the uncertainties involved in these projections are large, in particular for small-scale phenomena such as extreme precipitation, tornadoes (IPCC 2011). For the Netherlands, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) developed four scenarios, each describing a possible future climate within the range of climate-model scenarios of the CMIP3 project (Van den Hurk et al. 2006; Meehl et al. 2007). According to all KNMI’06 scenarios, temperature increases in winter and summer with respect to current climate. For winter, this means less frost and less likelihood of snow, and for summer, this means a greater likelihood of heat waves occurring with possible extreme temperatures (Van den Hurk et al. 2006). All scenarios show that in winter, precipitation will increase, with the largest increase being when the atmospheric circulation becomes more westerly. Because temperatures also increase, this precipitation will imply more rain. For summer, the scenarios with a more westerly circulation give a decrease in precipitation, whereas an unchanged circulation leads to wetter summers. In all scenarios, the amount of rain per precipitation event will increase leading to more extreme rainfall events. It is unclear how wind speed or storms will change in the future, because there is a large natural variability in wind speed. In a recent study, no changes of extreme storm changes were found (Katsman et al. 2011).

Understanding the way that individuals relate to and view these extreme weather events is a necessary precondition of developing robust and adequate strategies of adapting to extreme weather events. Robust adaptation measures are defined as independent from different climate change scenarios and as such likely to create win–win solutions (Dessai and Hulme 2004). It is widely agreed that robust adaptation measures need to be developed together with involved social actors, taking into account their perspectives, needs and values (Valkering et al. 2011; Dessai and Hulme 2004; Otto-Banaszak et al. 2011). Identifying the perspectives and priorities of social actors on adaptation measures for extreme weather events is, therefore, of key importance for the success of these adaptation measures (Pahl-Wostl 2002). The current paper investigates the perspectives of social actors from different economic sectors in the Netherlands with respect to adaptation priorities vis-à-vis extreme weather events.

The paper reports on a recent study among Dutch social actors in various relevant sectors. Differences in the perspectives of social actors on weather extremes can be related to the actors’ affiliation to specific economic sectors. The assumption so far is that most adaptation plans, measures and policies need to be specific to each socioeconomic sector (de Bruin et al. 2009). Therefore, involving sector-specific stakeholders seems to be the norm in designing adaptation governance, for instance in the UK Climate Impacts Programme and elsewhere (Ford et al. 2010; Reyer et al. forthcoming; Battaglini et al. 2009). However, as yet the predictive value of the actors’ affiliation with specific sectors for their perspectives on the risks of weather extremes has not been firmly established (Lowe and Lorenzoni 2007). It may be the case that differences between perspectives cannot be reduced to simple categories such as differences between economic sectors. Consequently, if the sectoral approach is pursued, it may become more difficult to reach convergence on robust adaptation measures. The problems may turn out to be unstructured, that is, featured by uncertainty or even controversy with respect to the relevance of both knowledge (scientific and practical) and values (Hoppe and Hisschemöller 2001).

This can be examined through a research approach that focuses on identifying the underlying broader perspectives that shape social actors’ views and opinions rather than focusing on (volatile) opinions and preferences (Hisschemöller and Midden 1999). Such research approach needs to be bottom-up as to avoid ex ante assumptions linking stakeholder views or biases to certain groups or categories, for example, professional affiliation, concern or level of knowledge (van de Kerkhof et al. 2009).

This paper uses such an approach, with the repertory grid technique from construct psychology (Kelly 1955). It addresses the following research questions:Which perspectives on extreme weather events and adaptation are considered the most important by different social actors in the Netherlands? To what extent do actors’ perspectives correlate to actor characteristics, such as their affiliation with specific sectors, level of concern and knowledge?

Analytical framework

By “perspectives,” we refer to underlying frames or belief systems that stakeholders use to make sense of their own observations and experiences. Perspectives structure human observations and help people to make sense of their environment. The perspectives we hold often function as filters for new information and knowledge we acquire, which has been recognized and studied extensively in studies of framing environmental (and other social) problems (Hoppe and Hisschemöller 2001; de Boer et al. 2010; Taylor et al. 1988; Hisschemöller 2005). Extreme weather events are by definition low probability but high impact weather events. We expect mostly negative perspectives, that is, that individuals associate mostly risks (and not opportunities) with such events, and their impacts, but do not preclude positive images as well. The perspectives that are the most important when considering adaptation, link the phenomenon under study, here extreme weather events, with possible solutions or human preventive actions.

Therefore, the perspectives we aim to investigate are broader underlying belief systems of individuals and not narrowly defined risk perceptions. Perceptions of climate risk can be understood as perceived seriousness and likelihood of harm resulting from climate change (Patt and Schröter 2008). Even though they are important in identifying how individuals view climate risks, they are also expected to be influenced by heuristics and biases, and thus to be volatile to recently experienced extremes, among other things (Patt and Schröter 2008). We are interested in broader categories including personal relation to the weather extremes, possible risks but also benefits, as well as possibilities for adaptation. These broader categories include elements that individuals themselves find as relevant for weather extremes (i.e., risks and benefits, impacts, adaptation solutions, human action) and not only or exclusively risks.

Personal construct theory, introduced in construct psychology (Kelly 1955), provides the framework of our study. The fundamental assumption of this framework, and the method associated, repertory grid technique, is that our different perspectives on a topic, for example, extreme weather events, can be identified as bipolar constructs: that is, dichotomies that we use to distinguish different types of extreme weather and relate them to our personal world (e.g., dangerous for me vs. not dangerous; wet vs. dry, etc.). According to the personal construct theory, we make sense of a situation by noting what it is like, and at the same time what it is different to (Fransella et al. 2004). Constructs are a result of one’s experiences and examination of people and places. In addition, they frame how individuals view their world and experiences.

There are various reasons for involving social actors in environmental policymaking. For adaptation governance, one major reason is that stakeholders possess the kind of knowledge that is often referred to as tacit, local or practical knowledge, which is supposed to make a contribution to policymaking in addition to formal scientific knowledge (Ziervogel et al. 2006). In practice, when social actors are consulted, it is often done through formal “stakeholders” as high-level representatives of sectoral interests (Vasileiadou 2012; Vasileiadou and Tuinstra 2012). Going beyond this narrow conception of stakeholders, our study addresses both high- and lower-level practitioners.

Even though including social actors have been emphasized in adaptation to extreme events studies, perspectives are under-researched and also under-utilized for adaptation governance. For instance, a previous study emphasized the need for broader mapping of societal perspectives on adaptation as a starting point for designing adaptation measures (Valkering et al. 2011). Yet the same study involved participants who reflected similar perspectives, instead of allowing of diversity of perspectives. Further, studies suggest that there are potential conflicts between adaptation measures (Reyer et al. forthcoming) and conflicting views underlying how climate change is conceptualized (Buys et al. 2012). Nevertheless, the suggestion that different societal actors prioritize different adaptive responses is not been taken as a starting point for designing adaptive responses, nor is it understood as a potential barrier to adaptive action (Runhaar et al. forthcoming). Differences in perspectives may very well suggest that there may be winners and losers from adaptive action, and that adaptation is not always or cannot be a win–win strategy across a whole society.

The following were included in the study as potential determinants of differences in perspectives. As there is a gap in our understanding of broader perspectives of extreme weather events, we draw on literature from climate risk perception on these possible determinants.

Involvement in sectors

We wonder as to whether individuals from different sectors would have different perspectives on extreme weather events and priorities of adaptation.

In a series of interviews with climate change experts about their perceptions of climate change, Lowe and Lorenzoni did not find any influence of institutional affiliation on these perceptions (Lowe and Lorenzoni 2007). However, as stated in the introduction, in most countries, climate change adaptation plans are developed with a sectoral approach (Keskitalo et al. 2012).

Involvement in (previous) events and workshops

We want to know whether individuals who have been involved in climate change adaptation workshops or events would hold similar perspectives, drawing upon formal knowledge obtained from reports and oral presentations, whereas those who did not participate would draw more upon tacit knowledge and personal experience. Even though workshops and communication events are common in developing adaptation policies, at least in western countries (Rosenzweig et al. 2011; Eakin and Patt 2011), their impact on how participants view extreme weather is not yet established. For instance with respect to flood risk, very few studies have examined the link between flood risk communication and flood individual risk perception (Kellens et al. 2012). There is some indication that risk communication (for instance through workshops and focus groups) has only weak effects on the flood risk perceptions of individuals (Terpstra et al. 2009).

Level of information

We like to find out as to whether different level of information among interviewees correlates to differences in perspectives on extreme weather events. Previously, it was suggested that the amount of information of individuals is one of the determinants of experienced or perceived dangerous climate change (Dessai et al. 2004). A review of flood risk perception research by Kellens et al. (2012) indeed observes that a lack of knowledge about floods is associated with lower individual flood risk perceptions.

Level of concern

We want to examine whether different levels of concern among interviewees correlate to differences in perspectives on extreme weather. The (self-reported) information about climate change was identified as a factor influencing concern with respect to climate change (Kellstedt et al. 2008): the more individuals felt they were informed about climate change, the less concerned they were. Kellstedt et al. (2008) explain this by suggesting that those more informed about climate change probably also trust science and scientists to find a solution for climate change.

Methodological framework

The methodology used in this paper is a non-steering open interview technique called repertory grid technique, introduced in construct psychology (Kelly 1955), and more recently applied in environmental studies (van der Sluijs et al. 2001; van de Kerkhof et al. 2009). The repertory grid technique uncovers the bipolar constructs that individuals use to understand and relate to a topic, here extreme weather events. The identification of these constructs, or perspectives, can be elicited by the interviewees themselves, using as probing devices the so-called elements: instances of the topic under investigation. As elements in the subsequent study, we selected fifteen photographs of extreme weather events and their impacts, shown in Fig. 1. We used photographs, because they convey more information to the respondents than sentences or words. Thus, the expected constructs could be more complex and varied.
Fig. 1

Photographs of extreme weather and their impacts, used as elements for the repertory grid

The photographs were selected by the team and are representative of the extreme weather events expected in the Netherlands. In addition, to facilitate bottom-up elicitation, we tried to be as broad in our choice as possible, for instance having photographs depicting both urban environment (Photograph 2) as well as country side (Photograph 11, Photograph 15); also having photographs depicting problems (e.g., Photograph 5) as well as possible opportunities (Photograph 12). Further, some photographs were selected with an eye to the specific sectors we wanted to investigate, for instance Photographs 6 and 7 relate to transportation, Photograph 12 relates to the hospitality sector. Practical reasons (high resolution, clear colors, size) also played a role in the selection process.

Previous research suggests that 15–25 interviews can bring about saturation of unique constructs (Dunn 2001), as there is, according to the underlying theory, a limited amount of constructs individuals use for any given topic (Fransella et al. 2004). Another advantage of the method is the bottom-up elicitation of the constructs, using as only probe from the interviewer the elements (be it photographs, as in our case, words, sentences, etc.).

During the interview, each respondent was asked to select three random photographs, facing upside-down, and to compare them, the question being: “To what extent are two of these phenomena similar and different from the third?” The answer to this question provided a bipolar construct, such as “no economic impact–great economic impact.” The respondents were allowed to come up with more than one answer to a particular set of photographs, thus allowing multiple constructs to be identified by a single triplet of photographs. This process went on until the photographs were finished, and the respondent had no constructs to add. The respondent was then invited to select the three constructs that he/she considered the most important, “taking into account adaptation to extreme weather events.” Following this selection, the respondent ranked all photographs (elements) on a 1–7 scale, according to their position in each of the three prioritized constructs. So if the construct was “no economic impact versus great economic impact,” the scale would be 1 = “no economic impact,” 7 = “great economic impact,” and all the photographs would be given a number between 1 and 7 by the interviewee.

In addition, the respondents were asked a number of additional questions on their self-reported level of information about extreme weather, their level of concern about extreme weather, as well as their involvement in prior events and workshops related to climate change or extreme weather events. We did not ask any questions related to the nature of the communication events they participated.

First, we conducted factor analysis (Principal Component Analysis-PCA) of the prioritized constructs against the rankings of the fifteen photographs (rows), to identify the perspectives on extremes. PCA is the standard method to analyze numerical repertory grid data (Fransella et al. 2004; Jankowicz 2004).

Second, we identified whether the sectors, the level of concern (1–7 scale), the level of information (1–7 scale) and participation in prior events (yes–no) were shaping the different perspectives that emerged. We used the percentages of constructs in these categories (each sector, level of information, etc.) to provide an indication of the random distribution.

Sectors and participants

We focused on the following sectors (number of interviewees from each sector in parenthesis): public health (6), crisis management (5), water sector (6), hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants and cafes) (6), tourism and recreation (9), urban transportation (5), vulnerable individuals (small children and older people) (4). The first three sectors were selected because of their primary role in responding to extreme weather events and are thus involved in adaptation to extreme events through their expertise. The following three (hospitality, urban transport and tourism and recreation) are economically vital sectors for urban areas in the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, that are affected by extreme weather events. Vulnerable individuals were examined because they are among the most affected in the case of any extreme weather event (young children, older citizens); yet, because of lack of formal organization, they are rarely taken into account as social actors. We interviewed two individuals from organizations focused on small children below the age of four (organization for childcare facilities; organization for small children and public health), and two pensioners (a representative of an older people’s association and a pensioner engaged in community work in the neighborhood).

Previous research has suggested that a person’s physical location was an important determinant of climate change risk perception, especially given the fact that climate change impacts will be highly regional (Brody et al. 2008). Most of our interviewees work in, or close to, the city of Amsterdam, and thus, the perspectives tend to be urban. For instance, there was only no construct related to impact of extreme weather on agriculture.

The selection of sectors or interviewees in the sector did not follow the logic of representative sampling. The selection of the sectors was, on the one hand, related to our aim for designing adaptation strategies, as we made sure all relevant sectors were involved (e.g., crisis management). In addition, we tried to ensure the “maximum variety” within each sector by interviewing directors of institutes and simple employees alike. Our strategy is similar to that in previous studies of repertory grid (Home et al. 2010). We contacted relevant organizations and actors from the selected sectors at random, explaining the purpose of the study and the procedure. We interviewed the individuals that were interested in participating and contacted us back. This may have created a bias toward participants who were interested in the topic (adaptation to extreme events).

The interview protocol and the repertory grid were first piloted using four environmental studies researchers as interviewees. This allowed us to adjust the phrasing in some questions and change some of the photographs. The interviews took place in March–June 2011. We note that the preceding winter had been extremely cold in the Netherlands, and especially the month of January with long period of snowfall. This may have played a role in the identification of some constructs, due to the availability heuristic, through which interviewees remember well weather extremes they experienced recently (Tversky and Kahneman 1974). However, the variety in the extremes in the photographs, and the random selection of photographs is expected to minimize the impact of the availability heuristic.

Here, we first present the results of the statistical analyses (PCA), which aim to identify the different perspectives. The next section examines the determinants of differences in perspectives.

Factor analysis

The analysis in this section was conducted with PCA (Varimax Rotation) on the 121 ranked constructs against all 15 photographs (elements).

We focus on the first six components out of the total fourteen, which explain for 73 % of the variance. Table 1 shows the labels we give to these components, which provide the operationalization of our perspectives. Their interpretation is given below, based on the constructs that loaded high on each component. Each perspective (component) includes the following elements: (a) typical character of the event; (b) typical kind of impact and (c) some notion of (need for) action to be taken.
Table 1

Typology of perspectives on extreme events, based on PCA

% of variancea

Initial eigenvalues

Component 1

Very disastrous, rescue needed

Component 2

New versus old weather extremes

Component 3

Prepare for (material) damage

Component 4

People involved

Component 5

Beyond imagination

Component 6

Natural resources management

aRotation sums of Squared loadings

Perspective 1, “Very disastrous, rescue needed,” contains 21 constructs1 that were brought up by 12 interviewees. The typical event in this perspective is sudden, very disastrous and dangerous. It is described as “violent,” something you cannot do anything about, as opposed to peaceful and calm. Such an event is likely to have a short duration, and its impacts are typically local; it is more disastrous and long-lasting when it affects a city rather than the countryside. Its victims are in despair and afraid; they do not see a solution. This is not a nice place to visit, and the local hospitality sector is expected to lose a lot of customers. Interestingly, this type of events does not relate to serious (long term) health risks. Its focus is on sudden catastrophe with victims in need of urgent help (rescue). Exemplary constructs here are “very disastrous versus least disastrous”; “rescue needed fast versus help can wait”; “violent versus peaceful and calm”, “short-term event versus long-term event”.

Perspective 2, labeled as “New versus old extremes”, contains 16 constructs, mentioned by 13 interviewees. This component turns out to be very stable in the analysis: if we manipulate (e.g., diminish) the number of factors, this component comes out again. The perspective concentrates on the differences between extreme hot (summer, dry) and extreme cold (winter, wet) weather. The typical feature of annoying winter weather is its impact on transportation, namely that it gets slippery. This impact may be long-lasting, but people normally would not need help. We are acquainted with this type of weather extremes. On the contrary, extreme heat is (as for the Netherlands) a relatively recent phenomenon, which people are not familiar with and which causes drought and health problems, especially during summer. It is the type of event where help is needed. Moreover, whereas extreme cold is associated with just one array of problems (constraints on transport), extreme heat is associated with ′multiple themes′. The interviewees did not come up with specific examples of measures or options that would address ′multiple themes′ weather extremes. Typical constructs in this component are “high temperatures, heat versus low temperatures, cold”; “no impact on transportation versus maximum impact on transportation”; “happens the recent years versus happens since long.”

Perspective 3 is labeled “Prepare for (material) damage” and includes 12 constructs, brought up by 8 interviewees. In some ways, it contrasts with perspective 2 as it focuses on typical Dutch weather extremes, especially storms. Storms and many other weather extremes are caused by nature rather than humans, and they can have dangerous consequences, as they cause damage to infrastructure and buildings. Many of the impacts cannot be dealt with at personal level, some of them can. Hence, preparatory measures need to be taken in so far this is possible, for example, the protection of infrastructure or stronger building regulations. Exemplary constructs in this perspective are “damage to electricity versus no damage to electricity”; “we need to prepare in advance versus no need to prepare”; “cases maximal damage versus causes no damage.”

Perspective 4, labeled as “People involved,” consists of 10 constructs, mentioned by 4 interviewees. This perspective is different from the others as it does not concentrate on any particular type of event, for example (sudden), storm or heat wave, nor on any particular type of human reaction (e.g., fear). It focuses on extreme events that occur infrequently and are dangerous in terms of their impacts. In contrast to perspective 3, this perspective acknowledges that many weather extremes or their impacts are more or less induced by humans. The involvement of persons is central in this argument, even though in different roles. Although it recognizes persons in their capacity of bringing help, it considers people primarily as victims. In fact, it distinguishes different types of impacts on (groups of) people like health risk, people threatened in their home environment, social disruption and, simultaneously, severe impact on nature. Exemplary constructs here are “health impacts versus no health impacts”; “induced by humans versus not induced by humans”; “people respond with help versus no response with help.”

Perspective 5, which we labeled “Beyond Imagination,” includes 13 constructs, mentioned by 8 interviewees. Like perspective 4, it focuses on extreme events that happen infrequently. They are supposed to be catastrophic disasters, because of their dangerous consequences, that is, their impact on the daily lives of people and the huge costs of material damage. Some of the weather extremes are not (yet) known (in the Netherlands). But even if they are known, people hardly take them into account in their daily outdoor activities. In a sense, it is difficult to interpret the unique message hidden in this component. On the one hand, we learn that people might try to prepare themselves, if they would be aware of the things going to happen. On the other hand, however, it maybe anyhow impossible to intervene in an event that is beyond imagination. Typical constructs in this perspective are “extreme versus not extreme”; “complete disaster versus pleasant circumstances”; “not possible to intervene versus possible to intervene.”

Perspective 6, “Natural resources management” includes 5 constructs, brought up by 3 interviewees. Neither of these specifies the extreme weather events themselves. Three relate to problems that extreme events can cause as regards natural resources, that is, water shortage, flooding and threat to food production. In these cases, spatial planning requires complex (as opposed to simple) adaptation measures. Exemplary constructs in this perspective are “related to water (shortage) versus not related to water (shortage)”; “threat to food production versus no threat to food production”; “spatial management needed versus no spatial management needed.”

Table 2 presents the photographs that ranked the highest and the lowest in each perspective: these help contextualize the perspectives.
Table 2

Photographs ranked high and low for each perspective

Ranks the highest

Ranks the lowest

Perspective 1

Photograph 13; photograph 5

Photograph 12; photograph 9

Perspective 2

Photograph 9

Photograph 10; photograph 1

Perspective 3

Photograph 11; photograph 13; photograph 2

Photograph 6; photograph 12

Perspective 4

Photograph 8; photograph 5

Photograph 12; photograph 14

Perspective 5

Photograph 5; photograph 4

Photograph 12; photograph 1

Perspective 6

Photograph 4

Photograph 11; photograph 2

Determinants of perspectives

We tested as determinants of these perspectives the sector, level of concern, level of information and the prior participation to events. Concern and information were measured on a 1–7 scale; we re-coded both variables as BA (=Below Average and Average) values 1–4; and AA (=Above Average) values 5–7. In the cells, we indicate the percentage of constructs mentioned by respondents which had above average level of concern and above average level of information.

Table 3 presents the additional analyses. Column 2 shows the sectors of the respondents that mentioned constructs which loaded higher than 0.6 in each component. In column 3, we group together the sectors that are primarily affected by weather extremes (urban transport, hospitality sector, tourism, vulnerable individuals) versus the sectors that primarily respond to extreme events (crisis management, public health, water sector). Column 4 shows the percent of constructs brought up by interviewees with above average level of concern, which were in total 44 %. Column 5 shows the percent of constructs mentioned by interviewees with above average level of information, which were in total 55 %. Column 6 shows the percent of constructs mentioned by interviewees with prior participation in events related to climate change or extreme weather events, which were in total 41 %. In the last three columns, we use bold typeset to indicate the numbers well above or below the percentage expected.
Table 3

Determinants of differences in perspectives

Relation to extreme weather

Concern (AA = 44 %)

Information (AA = 55 %)

Prior event (Yes = 41 %)

Perspective 1

Tourism 7; hospitality 5; vulnerable 6; crisis 2; water 1

Affected 18

Responding 3

57 %

29 %

14 %

Perspective 2

Hospitality 2; transport 4; tourism 4; health 3; crisis 2; vulnerable 1

Affected 11

Responding 5

71 %

59 %

24 %

Perspective 3

Tourism 4; transport 3; health 1; water 2; crisis 2

Affected 7

Responding 5

25 %

42 %

8 %

Perspective 4

Crisis 4; water 3; tourism 3

Affected 3

Responding 7

0 %

80 %

100 %

Perspective 5

Water 5; hospitality 3; tourism 3; transport 1; health 1;

Affected 7

Responding 6

62 %

77 %

78 %

Perspective 6

Health 4

Responding 4

0 %

60 %

60 %

Table 3 suggests that all four variables (sectors, level of concern, level of information and prior participation in events) play a role in the identified perspectives, albeit to a different extent. With respect to the different sectors, most perspectives are cross-sectoral, but some sectors are represented more than others. Perspective 4, which relates to the involvement of people, either as victims or in their capacity to provide help, is, expectedly, comprised mostly by constructs from individuals in the crisis and water sectors, whose jobs related to saving human lives (crisis), and health risks (water sector). Surprisingly enough, constructs from the public health sector are absent in that perspective. The sixth perspective related to impacts on natural resources management is comprised exclusively from constructs of interviewees in the health sector, which makes it the only component from one sector. In perspectives 1, 3 and 5, sectors do not seem the defining factor shaping the components identified.

More informative than the actual sectors is the distinction whether individuals are primarily affected by extreme weather or have to respond with professional action. In the first two perspectives, individuals who are mostly affected by extreme weather are over-represented. Professionals responding to extreme weather events were, naturally, over-represented in perspective 4, about the role of humans involved, as well as the last perspective on natural resources management.

With respect to the level of concern, interviewees with above average level of concern for extreme weather events score a lot of constructs on the components related to “New versus old weather extremes” (component 2) and “Beyond imagination” (component 5). The high level of concern would relate, in that case, to extreme heat waves (component 2) and to unimaginable disasters (such as flood, fire because of heat wave and hurricane). The perspectives “People involved” and “Natural resources management” are comprised exclusively of constructs from interviewees with below average level of concern. In general, the level of concern plays a more important role in differences between the perspectives, than sectors.

The level of information seems to play a less important role in the shaping of perspectives. Highly informed individuals are overrepresented in the perspectives “People involved,” as discussed above, and “Beyond imagination.”

Finally, participation in prior events seems to be the most influential factor in the shaping of perspectives. Interviewees with prior participation in previous workshops are underrepresented in the first three perspectives, comprised of relatively common sense categories, whereas they are overrepresented in the last three perspectives which go beyond common knowledge and ways of thinking about extreme weather events. It is, however, noteworthy that they are also underrepresented in the perspective which is mostly concerned with the need to prepare (perspective 3).

In this paper, we investigate the perspectives on extreme weather events that are prioritized with respect to adaptation by different social actors in the Netherlands, and the extent to which different actor characteristics correlate to differences in these perspectives. We identify six prevalent perspectives which interviewees prioritize for adaptation to extreme weather events: (1) very disastrous, rescue needed; (2) new versus old extremes; (3) prepare for (material) damage; (4) persons involved; (5) beyond imagination; and (6) natural resource management.

These perspectives link-specific events, or types of event, with their impacts, as well as with human action that is, or is not, needed (i.e., preparation, rescue). The priorities for human action for adaptation, coming out of these components, are primarily: immediate help and crisis management, in the case of very disastrous and catastrophic events, such as intense storms (perspective 1); addressing heat waves and drought, which we know little about and they are relatively recent (perspective 2); preparing infrastructure such as buildings as much as possible for extremes (perspective 3); addressing events that endanger human lives and have victims (perspective 4); and complex adaptation measures related to water (shortage) as changes in natural resource management and spatial planning (perspective 6). Each perspective, therefore, prioritizes different type of human action for adaptation to extreme event. That means that adaptation to extreme events resembles an unstructured problem, and robustness of adaptation strategies, as strategies reflecting different perspectives, is not a straightforward issue. Reconciliation among different perspectives may not always be possible, and we need to be aware of the fact that there may be winners and losers in adaptation strategies, as robust, win–win strategies that cut across all perspectives may be impossible.

Our results indicate that differences among the perspectives cannot be reduced to differences in economic sectors. Our concern with involving different sectors in adaptation governance and focusing on sectors to create societal awareness may be too limiting as a strategy. Instead, our results indicate that we need to involve actors with different underlying perspectives, in order to attempt to bridge some differences where possible.

Differences in perspectives were related to a broader link with extreme events: sectors mainly affected versus sectors mainly responding professionally to extreme weather. In the first two perspectives, individuals who are mostly affected by extreme weather are over-represented. We can imagine that for vulnerable individuals and sectors, the extent to which rescue is needed (perspective 1) is of vital importance, whereas professionals who respond with rescue in such cases probably feel that this is not priority for adaptation, because they already have a role in responding and rescuing during these circumstances. For the second perspective, we can also understand that professionals who have to respond to extreme weather are probably more knowledgeable with respect to “new, more recent” extremes, such as heat waves, and thus did not prioritize this perspective.

The level of concern was also relevant to understand the differences between perspectives. The perspectives “People involved” and “Natural resources management” are comprised exclusively of constructs from interviewees with below average level of concern. It can be the case that people with low degree of personal concern focus on the importance of “impersonal” adaptation measures (related to natural resources management). But the fact that these individuals also score low on focus on personal involvement and impacts on people (perspective 4) makes us think that the personal impacts of extreme weather events in perspective 4 are mentioned in a somewhat professional and detached manner from individuals with a lot of knowledge and prior participation to dedicated events.

In addition, individuals with high level of concern tend to prioritize more descriptive perspectives (cold vs. hot; level of extremity) and not prioritize more elaborate perspectives (i.e., health and societal impacts; level of complexity of adaptation measures). It could be the case that individuals, who feel more than average concerned, feel concerned because they lack more elaborate knowledge on extreme weather events. In a previous study, it was found that the number of information sources one is exposed to is positively linked to perceived level of preparedness (Basolo et al. 2009). Individuals who participate thus in such events may feel more prepared, and thus less concerned, than individuals who do not participate in such events.

The level of self-reported information seems to play a less important role in the shaping of components than the level of concern. Highly informed individuals are overrepresented in the components related to societal and health impacts, as well as level of extremity, and economic costs. It could be the case that these two components are more related to more elaborate knowledge about extreme weather. It could also be the case that level of concern and information is linked in a different way: people who focus on impacts on human lives and health (perspective 4) will inform themselves better than people who mainly worry about less-far-reaching consequences.

Finally, participation in prior events seems to be the most influential factor in the shaping of perspectives. Interviewees with prior participation in workshops are underrepresented in descriptive, common sense perspectives, whereas they are overrepresented in the more elaborate perspectives. These interviewees may have thus been primed through their participation, in drawing on elaborate perspectives. Our original expectation that individuals with prior participation to such events would tend to draw on formal knowledge and prioritize more elaborate perspectives seems to be confirmed.

With respect to the role of education, organization of workshops and dissemination of knowledge about extreme weather events, the results point to some interesting insights. Individuals who participate in events, workshops or lectures, etc. on climate change or extreme weather events are underrepresented in some components and especially the component related to the need to prepare in advance for the possibility of extreme weather. This could be linked to the increased sense of preparedness that additional information sources provide, as found by previous studies (Basolo et al. 2009). Many such events have the implicit intention of mobilizing for adaptation and preparedness to extreme weather events. This, however, should not be taken for granted.

The emphasis of our study on perspectives as opposed to risk perceptions was successful. The interviewees were less inclined to answer on the basis of heuristics and biases. In addition, it becomes clear that the way individuals relate to extreme weather is much more complex than estimating how high the risks of its impact will be. We suggest that communication events, as well as interaction between stakeholders and policymakers on defining adaptation priorities should start by investigating the underlying perspectives of the participants. This would provide a firm ground on which constructive conflict methodologies can be used, given the differences in perspectives (Cuppen 2012). Repertory grid analysis proved useful in this, since it facilitated bottom-up elicitation of these perspectives.

The results of the study should be read with care. Our interviewees could be more concerned or knowledgeable about extreme weather events, than a random sample of the Dutch population. In the invitation for the interviews, we indicated the topic of the research, and one could expect that those agreeing to participate may have had some interest in extreme weather events, either by having knowledge about it, or either by feeling concerned about it. This does not invalidate our results, however, because close to half of our individuals reported above average level of information and above average level of concern. The number of interviews we conducted ensures a saturation point of constructs, since 15–25 interviews are enough to capture the entirety of different constructs, according to previous repertory grid analyses.

Further analysis needs to be conducted, to link how different communication strategies can target each of these underlying perspectives, so that scientific and policy-relevant information on adaptation to extremes can be successfully communicated to different social actors. However, we cannot take for granted that this information will actually lead to behavioral change (McEvoy et al. 2010), nor to change of the underlying perspectives. As other unstructured problems, designing robust adaptation strategies may come about through constructive conflict, rather than reconciliation.

  1. 1.

    We take into account constructs that load 0.6 or higher in each component.

Research underlying this paper was funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and Programme Knowledge for Climate (Kennis voor Klimaat), project number 830.10.005.

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Copyright information

© The Author(s) 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Eleftheria Vasileiadou
    • 1
  • Matthijs Hisschemöller
    • 1
  • Arthur C. Petersen
    • 1
    • 2
  • Wilco Hazeleger
    • 3
    • 4
  • Channah Betgen
  • Iris de Hoog
  • Erik Min
    • 3
  1. 1.Institute for Environmental StudiesVU University AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
  2. 2.PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment AgencyBilthovenThe Netherlands
  3. 3.Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI)De BiltThe Netherlands
  4. 4.WU, Wageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands

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Oilfield Pennsylvania, Image: Deutsches Museum Archiv: BN25643.

Umbrella Research Theme (2017-)

IV. Knowledge in and of the Anthropocene

The umbrella project aims at a comprehensive understanding of the long-term historical dynamics that have given shape to the current anthropogenic alteration of fundamental geo-biophysical parameters pointedly captured by the term “Anthropocene.” Specifically, it looks at the socio-epistemic and technological frameworks that have co-evolved in the interplay of material practices and specific knowledge economies throughout many centuries of intensified human-environment interaction. The umbrella project is part of the Department’s research emphasis on the long-term developments of material practices and knowledge diffusion that involve the exploitation of natural resources and the creation of man-made environments. With the “Anthropocene,” such research has found a recent conceptual convergence, but also an epistemic challenge.

Oilfield Pennsylvania, Image: Deutsches Museum Archiv: BN25643.

The Anthropocene denotes the proposed new geological epoch of humankind that presents an entirely novel, non-analogous situation in the Earth’s history. Capturing the profound and long-lasting impact of human activities on the entire Earth system, the Anthropocene is a powerful concept for investigating the deep biophysical and sociotechnical changes that tie the local to the global as well as the historical to the geohistorical and back. Thus, the notion of the Anthropocene allows different historical horizons to be banded together, in particular longue durée and recently accelerating environmental and socio-epistemic changes, but also changing geographies in the production of technical and scientific knowledge in core areas and peripheries. With the Anthropocene, a changing temporal and spatial configuration of epistemological frameworks is currently underway and thus the aim of the umbrella project is not only to reflect on historical lineages but also, together with a range of national and international partners, to help find new grounds for research and education in a highly interdisciplinary twenty-first century setting. The umbrella project thus firstly aims to adequately describe and uncover the historical matrix of epistemic and technological practices that together constitute potent drivers for the current transition into a new geological epoch. At this junction, the interaction between environments, both ancient and modern, and knowledge production can be conceptualized as a process of co-evolution, including the interplay between knowledge economies and accelerated industrialization.

Secondly, this matrix of practices is also key in understanding the specific forms of reflection upon this very transition, for example, in the conceptualization of the Earth as an evolving system characterized by a natural—and now increasingly artificial—circulation of matter and energy within this system. At this epistemic level, histories of key disciplines such as the Earth and climate sciences provide crucial insights into the co-production of knowledge, for example, the relation between modeling and observation. Moreover, the project cooperates with several institutional partners, not only to foster a more comprehensive understanding but to actively shape sustainable ways of knowledge generation and dissemination in order to address what appears to be the utmost challenge of the twenty-first century.

The umbrella project’s content is organized around two major research areas: “Material Practices” and “Anthropocene Knowledge.”


Dire Straits

Unforeseen Difficulties Needn't Lead To Foreclosure

December 17, 1995|By Jim DeBoth. Special to the Tribune.

After eight years of making payments on time, a suburban Chicago man began to fall behind on the mortgage on his two-story Georgian.

Over the previous year, the man's wife had fallen ill and then died, leaving him to raise their three children alone. In addition to losing his wife's income and dealing with her medical bills, the man was emotionally drained.

Because he owed more than $2,500 in back payments, the man's mortgage company notified him that it was planning to foreclose on the home. The man quickly contacted the bank and fully explained his situation.

After a day or so of negotiations, the bank agreed not to pursue the foreclosure and worked out a program so that the homeowner could stretch out the back payments over a year.

The man was not only able to keep his home, and more importantly his equity, but avoid a scar on his credit history.

"Foreclosure can be prevented with education and negotiation," says Danelle Klinker, director of education and housing for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater Chicago. CCCS is a not-for-profit nationwide agency that provides household financial counseling to consumers free or for a nominal charge.

Despite an increasing number of mortgage payment defaults nationwide, homeowners in financial straits may find a way to keep their homes, says Klinker.

Technically, a foreclosure is a legal process that a lender uses to force the sale of a home when an owner defaults or falls behind on the mortgage. Usually, the process starts after three months of missed payments.

The danger of a foreclosure is that a homeowner can lose all of his or her hard-earned equity, a problem that greatly affects those owners who are several years into their mortgage payments.

"If your house has appreciated $20,000 in the five years you've owned it, you won't get that profit in a foreclosure, the bank will," says Klinker. "You literally walk away with nothing and the bank can walk away with everything."

Another risk is that the homeowner is responsible for mortgage losses during a foreclosure. For example, if the loan totals $150,000, but the lender can only sell the home for $125,000, the homeowner technically owes the lender the $25,000 difference.

In reality, most lenders would rather not conduct foreclosures, says Klinker.

"The bottom line is most lenders don't want your home because the value of homes has not appreciated much lately," she says. "As a result, the banks are there to work with consumers."

The easiest way to prevent a foreclosure is with honesty, says Klinker.

"First, you have to be honest with yourself, and determine if what caused you to be behind on your mortgage is a temporary or long-term situation," she says. "If it is a long-term situation, then you have to consider if staying in your home is realistic and think about the option of putting the house on the market."

If the situation is temporary, however, Klinker recommended that the homeowner contact the lender as soon as possible.

"If you're worried about making next month's payment, contact the lender now," she says. "Be honest and give the specifics about your situation. For example: that you've anticipated a medical issue and you're not sure about making next month's payment."

Homeowners not yet delinquent in payments should contact the lender by phone, and ask to speak to any customer service representative. If they're already delinquent, they should contact the default payment department.

"The lender will usually have a housing counselor on staff to go over your finances with you to determine what you can afford in terms of catching up on this mortgage," says Klinker.

In the negotiations with the lender, the homeowner should consider the various foreclosure-avoiding options that a lender can provide.

With a conventional lender, there are a number of approaches to take. For example, a homeowner can negotiate a repayment plan--a written contract to help the homeowner make up missed payments. Usually, this entails an added sum to the regular mortgage payment over a number of months.

Another option is a forbearance agreement, in which the mortgage lender allows the homeowner to make lower payments or no payments for a certain number of months--usually between two and six. To make up for the missed payments, the next two to six payments are higher than normal, or the length of the mortgage is extended.

The homeowner also may pay the lender the missed payments through a consumer loan or home equity loan separate from the mortgage, but may also encounter paying a higher interest rate and/or losing tax deductions on the equity loan interest.

Yet another option could be what's known as a modification agreement, in which the terms of the loan are altered to benefit both the homeowner and lender. Those alterations could include lowering the interest rate if it's higher than current rates, extending the length of the loan or converting an adjustable rate mortgage to a fixed-rate mortgage.

Refinancing the mortgage is another option, especially if interest rates have dropped since the loan began. This usually will entail closing costs, such as the cost of an appraisal.

Another option, says Klinker, is a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, in which the lender is given title to the property in exchange for the homeowner being relieved of his or responsibility for the mortgage.

There would be closing costs involved, and a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure can show up on credit reports. However, it usually is less troubling than a foreclosure.

Jim DeBoth is president of Mortgage Market Information Services. Address your questions to Mortgages, c/o the Chicago Tribune, Real Estate Section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60611. Sorry, we cannot accept questions over the phone and will not give personal replies.


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On To The WEST GERMANY “ECONOMIC MIRACLE”: The Modification FROM AN Quickly and cheaply BACKWARD Area Directly Into A AMBITIOUS Anyone

The Germany economic climate has been getting an very good proficiency for the past decades, and has now moved a heightened desire for European union to your architectural transforms which have brought the German type once again. These transformations have truly developed Germany arise as among the areas that gain from the incorporation of world-wide business economics. Notably, there is no constraint of tries to explain the development belonging to the market of Western side German inside your 1950’s . In addition to, in a total The european countries, it truly was only Austria that contributed a number of the problems seen by Germany. Also, Germany’s very quickly growth tripled expectations of just living in few years. West Germany was motivated to tackle assorted politics upheavals in production, institutionalization, and interdependence to match the progress focuses on specified; consequently, the immediate improvement at a min level.

Your first class of consideration imagery the fast postwar development of Western side Germany from your prospective of convergence and productiveness finding up.

Particularly, the financial state of West Germany created quickly soon after WWII, along with this situation, since it acquired then finally shed the shackles controlling lower back output evolution and architectural change. In addition, of the foremost fifty percent of the twentieth century, much lower end result per employee portrayed a lower financial state-ample funds-labour ratio. This reflected the disturbances of WWI, the slump of the year 1930’s and inflationary 1920’s, as a result. Much more, the turtle-like get out of of Germany from antique agriculture stored the economic situation from methodical boundary. The latter occurred even though in some parts of manufacturing, already Germany had exceeded the productivity of British before WWI . As a result, the larger the show on the recruitment of an land in agriculture and postponement in architectural change, the extra quick it evolves and that prospective, West Germany is mostly a case in factor.

Second of all, this display places emphasis on institutional essentials for a immediate growth and development of Germany quickly after WWII.

It asserts imperative socioeconomic reforms in organizations that implemented WWII in your track popular for fast progress as well as the absence of improvements that have been very much the same in international locations which had been thriving from a decrease level most notably Britain. Additionally, the capturing reforms of expert-industry beneath the shielding of the usa, it truly is said that abolished cartels made it easier for to relieve on declare planning and intervention, and, so, placed the overall economy of West Germany at a route when it comes to the integration of Countries in europe in addition the whole world target market . Particularly, there seems to be the dissolving of lengthy-positioned distributional alliances by profession and so the warfare. It freed Germany to relish a continuous acceleration in the growth of total factor productivity, as a result.

Contrarily, the final high school of consideration facilities at the unfavorable results jolt inside a ultimate periods of these warfare and going after it promptly. In addition to, the Gross Residential Return in some regions of the Allied profession that transformed into the Federal Republic was just 60-four % of 1938 thresholds in 1948. In contrast, in britain, formulation was witout a doubt very high in 1948 as compared to the keep going pre-12 months of WWII. Notably, Germany would have grown faster; however, it follows since it had been forced off its viable path that was long-term, but just temporarily . Furthermore, the greater the decrease in yield that Germany endured within the quite a few years 1938 and 1950, the greater amount of swift it expanded consequently.

A final thought, each one of these some opinions have a variety of details on the financial increase in Western side Germany. In addition to, it ought to be remembered that healing period of the Germany financial system that is known as a miraculous by government bodies for the level had not been a genuine celebration, and therefore the revival possessed highly effective underlying foundations. The present post-combat declares were originally not quite as undesirable as they simply are thinking about the German Democratic Republic. As a result, the three vistas all make an attempt to explain how Germany healed with the quickly after negative effects of the war and in what ways its economic climate matured on a sooner see now pace; thus, fostering its exceptional economic enlargement.

رقم حساب الجمعية داخل و خارج مصر 65993


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Busnelli, Marco; Manzini, Stefano; Parolini, Cinzia; Escalante-Alcalde, Diana; Chiesa, Giulia (2018)

Atherosclerosis 271():156-165
full text

LPP3 is an integral membrane protein belonging to a family of enzymes (LPPs) that display broad substrate specificity and catalyse dephosphorylation of several lipid substrates, including lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate. In mammals, the LPP family consists of three enzymes named LPP1, LPP2 and LPP3, which are encoded by three independent genes, PLPP1, PLPP2 and PLPP3, respectively (formerly known as PPAP2A, PPAP2C, PPAP2B). These three enzymes, in vitro, do not seem to differ for catalytic activities and substrate preferences. However, in vivo targeted inactivation of the individual genes has indicated that the enzymes do not have overlapping functions and that LPP3, specifically, plays a crucial role in vascular development. In 2011, two genome-wide association studies have identified PLPP3 as a novel locus associated with coronary artery disease susceptibility. Shortly after these reports, tissue specific inactivation of PLPP3 in mice highlighted a specific role for LPP3 in vascular pathophysiology and, more recently, in atherosclerosis development. This review is aimed at providing an updated overview on the function of LPP3 in embryonic cardiovascular development and on the experimental and clinical evidences relating this enzyme to vascular cell functions and cardiovascular disease.


Emotions and Spirituality
How do I cope with news that my dad has advanced cancer?

It’s normal to feel lost and confused when you first get news that someone close to you has a terminal illness. You may feel all kinds of emotions and not be able to control them. The first task is to digest the news and make sense of it. It’s difficult and it takes time. Stop and reflect, think about your questions, and look for information before you do anything or make any decisions.

A good way to start is to reach out to people and services related to palliative care. It’s best to know what’s available and make contacts before there’s a crisis or a major change in your dad’s condition. Your father will have a health care team or a palliative care team to help support him and you. These health care providers can help you and the rest of your family deal with the emotions and the changes to come. If you think you’d like to talk to someone about this, don’t hesitate to ask.

It’s normal also to not know what to say. In society generally, there’s discomfort with talk about death and dying. Many people have never faced it nor had to care for someone who is dying. We have so little experience with death that most of us are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. Usually we say nothing and try to avoid the whole situation. Open communication helps everyone. You’ll realize that you share similar emotions and questions, and together you can ease fears, find answers to questions and reach out to health care providers for help.