Fourteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

This study assesses the communication processes between authorities of a semi-desert city of northwestern Mexico, which faces problems of extreme weather events, through an analysis of knowledge systems. The analysis of the knowledge systems was carried out from the point of view of the organizations that are in charge of responding to extreme weather events and knowing who are the main providers and users of the information. Semi-structured surveys were applied through the Knowledge Systems Analysis (KASA) framework. KASA is based on four pillars; creation, validation, communication, and application of knowledge, which were analyzed in the context of the perceptions of the main climatic problems of the region. It was found that urban floods and droughts are the most serious events and that heat waves are not considered the most importance. However, Hermosillo is in the second place of deaths caused by heat waves in Mexico. The actors consider the use of factors such as credibility, accessibility, and legitimacy of information, and a trusting relationship for decision making to be paramount. On the other hand, it was found that there is an important connection between academic organizations and most of the municipal institutions. However, there is no inclusive governance system that takes into account the other organizations in the city. These results are expected to help improve communication processes between the different actors that are taking action to combat climate change.