Risk and Risk Reduction

The way individuals consider risk informs…

The decisions they make

Who needs to work together for proper risk reduction

Experts and lay-people

7 Dimensions of risk reduction

Risk awareness, risk perception, risk avoidance, risk management, risk acceptance, risk communication, risk preparedness

Risk management

process whereby risk is evaluated to facilitate the introduction of risk mitigation/risk reduction strategies

Risk awareness

Refers to how much people know about the risks they face (making people aware is the first step to preparedness)

Risk preparedness

Refers to when people are talking about and preparing for the risks they face (occurs at the individual, household, community, business and national scales)

Societal preparedness actions include

Forecasting, warning systems, stockpiles of resources, evacuation planning, drills

Who are the key actors within the policy domain

Government agencies, NEMA, civil defence, emergency management groups, emergency services, health, education, business

Who are the kay actors within the science domain

Universities, public research organizations, advisory boards or panels

What is required in the hybrid boundary zone between policy and science

Legitimacy, balance, compromise, inclusion, transparency

Risk communication

Traditionally an add-on to risk assessment process experts tend to communicate by targeting a knowledge deficit (public doesn’t know). Today, communication is two way

Risk avoidance

Where people and infrastructure is not built in areas of high risk very difficult to achieve (particularly in a countries with multi-hazard risks)

Risk acceptability/tolerance

the idea that absolute safety is impossible to achieve, so asks the question – what level of risk is acceptable for an activity or situation

Purpose of land use planning

To zone and control hazardous areas so that existing communities can be better protected

Challenges of land use planning

hazardous areas being developed, population growth puts pressure on councils to approve risky housing developments, the development of new hazards

What are the three things you must assess for risk-based natural hazard planning

Likelihood of events, consequences if events occur, risk

What is the hazard at Franz Josef

An alpine fault passes through the town posing significant earthquake risk, also flooding from the Waiho River

What can be done to reduce risk at Franz Josef

Fault avoidance zone, move town, stay in place but remove gravel from river and defend the river by building up the stop banks