Analysis of Environmental Risk Communication Failures and Building Social Trust through Uncertainty Communication

摘要

This study aims to demonstrate causes of environmental risk communication failures that result in fragile trust among stakeholders and to discuss the possibility of uncertainty communication to increase trust between the public and institutions responsible for risk management. An investigation of the public's trust in industrial agencies and public authorities is carried out, and the relationship between trust and public understanding of information related to uncertainties is analysed. The Maptaphut industrial development area in Rayong Province, Thailand was selected as a case study due to the seriousness of environmental contamination in this area and the need for improvement of risk communication. The results demonstrated that communication failures during the environmental crisis are the cause underlying the institutions' failure to reveal significant information related to the chemical substances released and to show their empathy and caring to the public. Consequently, the situation has resulted in fragile social trust. A survey of 181 inhabitants of the industrial communities in this area revealed that respondents with comprehension of information related to uncertainties have relatively low trust in public authorities and industrial agencies. The study suggests that communicating uncertainty might increase the public's perceived competence and faith in organizations responsible for risk management, thereby generating social trust.