Theme 2: Risk and uncertainty

The media determines

how the public perceives issues

Types of media

television, internet, social media

Data presented in the media can…

loose scientific nuance and be fragmented and bias which loses the scientific method and process

Science that runs well in the media 

scary, big numbers, appeal to humans, capital 

media can

shape public interest, but can be biased

Front media

positive predictors of scientific knowledge

presenting conflicting views can create

distrust in science

Risk 

vulnerability x consequence x hazard

Hazard

physical environment

vulnerability

lack of capacity to adapt

social vulnerability

not all groups are affected the same by an environmental issue (beliefs, positionality, demographics, skills, assets)

typically risk assessment is 

site specific where a known environmental hazard is occurring (ex, three kings quarry) 

Remote sensing is

repeatable, replicable, fast, verifiable, and can analyze large amounts of data

Remote sensing doesn’t always

consider the complexity of environmental, social, cultural issues and perspectives

Types of remote sensing

statellite, land, drones

What does remote sensing do 

create overlays & generates data for decision makers (can be biased, fragmented, inconclusive, incorrect

Risk assessment

evaluation of the probability of being exposed to a hazard (exposure x hazard)

vulnerability

different people will experience risk differently based on their positionality

decision making of risk assessment

bias: usually done where risk is already present & can ignore cultural effects 

AI in envs

Pros: air & water quality monitoring, tracking species, round-the-clock results
Cons: environ impact, difficult with generalization

risks and uncertainites of remote sensing and AI

ethical, sustainability, biases, incorrect conclusions, does not fully understand complexities