Risk Anal. http://doi.org/j6x (2012)

Credit: © ISTOCKPHOTO/THINKSTOCK

Climate change is likely to enhance the level of risk posed by many natural hazards. These risks can be reduced through mitigation strategies and behaviours, provided people are motivated and able to do so. There is extensive literature on natural hazard risk-perception, which can inform thinking about adaptation to climate change.

A review by Gisela Wachinger from the Department of Social Sciences, University of Stuttgart, Germany, and co-workers considers the literature on perception of risk in relation to natural hazards. Personal experience of a hazard and trust — or lack thereof — in experts and authorities are found to have the most substantial impact on risk perception. Interestingly though, high risk perception does not necessarily translate into personal preparedness and risk-mitigation behaviour. Wachinger et al. provide three explanations for this disconnect: (1) individuals accept the risk, perceiving that benefits outweigh the potential impacts; (2) responsibility for action is believed to lie elsewhere; and (3) individuals lack the resources needed to change their situation.

Personal hazard experience and information from trusted experts and authorities certainly seem to enhance hazard perception. However, the factors that facilitate translation of risk perception into risk preparedness remain much less clear, despite many empirical studies into precisely this question. It seems that the key challenge ahead will be facilitating preparedness rather than just highlighting risks.