Chapter 1 - Oil Spills and Risk Perceptions

Abstract

This chapter explores current knowledge about risk perceptions in the context of marine oil spills to provide different insights about the complex challenges involved in aligning public and stakeholder perceptions with the realities of oil spill preparedness and response. This chapter is intended for a range of readers, including those interested in learning more about oil spill preparedness and response, as well as oil spill managers, scientists, and engineers who are interested in broadening their awareness of research on risk perceptions, risk communications, risk management as it relates to oil spills and potential effects on people. The research covered in this chapter is transdisciplinary, encompassing multiple areas of the natural and social sciences. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or definitive review of all available theoretical and hypothetical research on risk perceptions and related topics—that literature is extensive, spanning over 40years with many different models and approaches, all with strengths and weaknesses depending upon the issue to which the findings could apply. Instead, this is a selective review to highlight theoretical concepts and research findings from the social sciences which are applicable to oil spill preparedness and response. This high-level review screened for methods and content that may offer pragmatic value if applied to the comparatively narrow field of oil spills, and especially large marine spills.