MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE:CULTURE, BUSHFIRE AND COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING

摘要

The communication to the wider community of scientific information about bushfires must be cognisant of a range of pre-existing social and cultural influences that may affect popular understandings. A variety of "cultures" have the potential to influence people's understandings of bushfires and bushfire behaviour. These include the mass media, film, television, literature, art, popular culture and the interne. To illustrate the point, this paper examines the impact of Australian children's literature in perpetuating the notion that discarded bottles and broken glass are a common cause of bushfire ignitions. An analysis of books for children and adolescents since the 19th century reveals acceptance and reiteration of this causation despite its dismissal in scientific and generalist adult texts. The credibility of the notion is reflected in its acceptance and repetition in the adult world, to the point of being quoted in parliamentary debates. The limited academic discourse on the impact of culturally derived understandings of disaster (including bushfires) and community perceptions is discussed.