Communicating Seismic Risk: the Geoethical Challenges of a People-Centred, Participatory Approach

Iain S Stewart,Johanna Ickert,Robin Lacassin

doi:10.4401/ag-7593

Abstract

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) encourages scientists to participate in bottom-up risk communication approaches that directly engage hazard-prone populations. Effective communication of seismic risks not only has economic impacts in terms of hazard mitigation but also provides social value in potentially empowering the marginalized populations that disproportionately live in high-risk areas. This emphasis on community-focused disaster preparedness, however, presents a novel set of communication challenges for geoscientists. Few scientists have training in or experience of translating their science for lay publics, and conveying complex risk information is especially difficult in circumstances where scientific issues are socially contested and politically charged. Recognising that disaster threats can create troublesome information battlegrounds, this paper explores the ethical and practical aspects of seismic risk communication, motivated by an early-career earth scientists’ workshop in Istanbul that voiced the concerns of young geoscientists confronted firsthand by at-risk publics. Those concerns form the basis of a wider review of the risk communication issues that are likely to be encountered if community-centred participatory DRR approaches are to be adopted by earthquake science researchers.

Highlights

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) encourages scientists to participate in bottom-up risk communication approaches that directly engage hazard-prone populations
The Eu ropean Com m ission, for exam ple, changed the title of their ‘Science and Society’ p rogram m e to ‘Science in Society’ and u nd er H orizon 2020 d eveloped gu id elines arou nd ‘Responsible Research and Innovation’ (RRI) w ith the d eliberate goal of stim u lating reflexivity and involving a range of social actors - scientists, citizens, p oliticians and bu sinesses - m ore closely in scientific end eavou rs that w ere cod esigned and co-prod u ced by society (Ow en et al, 2012)
A review of people-centred ap proaches for d isaster risk m anagem ent d escribed : ‘... a complex landscape characterized by insufficient resources at the local level, and lack of willingness among the public at risk to share responsibility for disaster risk management with authorities

Summary

Introduction

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) encourages scientists to participate in bottom-up risk communication approaches that directly engage hazard-prone populations.

Results

Conclusion