Risk communication: some underlying principles

Abstract

Attention is drawn to the need to provide information to the public about environmentally hazardous or intrusive facilities. It is suggested that given the increasing disputatious nature of environmental decision making and growing environmental sensitivity, planners and policy makers are recognising that specialist knowledge is required to design and evaluate the effectiveness of risk communications

The paper describes the context within which such communications may be used, discusses some of the ethical issues involved and outlines some of the psychological principles drawn upon when considering the content, format and method of dissemination.

Specific examples of risk communication are given that vary with respect to the level of interaction between the communicator and intended audience and the amount of power devolved to the risk bearers in influencing the outcome of the planning or decisionmaking process.

Key words:

• Risk communication
• environment
• hazards