Weather watching: when will the message get through?

Research into public risk protection can only do so much, says David Uzzell – people will always be mesmerised by disasterAs an undergraduate living in a rundown part of Liverpool in the 1970s, I witnessed a fire in an abandoned workshop which my flat overlooked. I stood transfixed. Even at the time I remember thinking about my actions, or rather inactions. I was mesmerised by this elemental force. In a grey, rundown and defeated urban landscape, it was colourful, full of energy and spirit; it seemed to be an invincible force, a symbol of resistance.Several years later I was driving through a village in Cornwall and passed a small cottage on fire. The local inhabitants were gathered around. This was a different experience for the villagers, but they were no less transfixed. They were standing next to a building that was part of their familiar everyday scene, but now they were seeing it in a new light.I have been an environmental psychologist for more than 30 years, during which time my research has focused on public perceptions of risk and risk communication across a variety of environmental issues, as well as how we can tackle the causes and consequences of climate change at an individual and collective level.Experiencing the environmental problems I write about can be a salutary experience. We know from years of research that having timely, relevant and practical information is not only important for effective action in risk situations, but that the absence of this inform...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Tags: Psychology Blogposts Guardian Professional World news Academics Research Higher education Natural disasters and extreme weather Climate change Higher Education Network Environment Science Source Type: news