Social amplification of risks and the clean energy transformation: Elaborating on the four attributes of information

Abstract

The social amplification of risk framework (SARF) was developed to help comprehend how emerging contributions about the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of risk could work in unison to impact decision making about risk. The framework proposed that risks are amplified or attenuated by interested parties employing different rhetorical strategies to give information about risk a certain “spin.” The original literature identified four “attributes of information.” However, despite the longevity of the framework, these have not been explicated in detail. Here we add depth and clarity by examining how amplification stations send risk signals that amplify or attenuate risk by emphasizing these different attributes of information. Drawing on a wealth of qualitative data from two case studies of offshore wind turbine siting off the coasts of Maryland and Delaware and guided by an extensive literature review, we reveal the strategies interested parties are using to influence siting decisions and risk management. The paper explores the usefulness of SARF in organizing qualitative information and sharpening insights on participatory risk governance and the nuances of public responses to a relatively new low‐carbon technology. The authors conclude that the framework is valuable for analyzing stakeholder information while also recognizing limitations that may be addressed with some targeted future research.

On the interconnected nature of risk and responsibility in the research and development of new and emerging technologies

“…We employ a case study approach in this research, which is an established method in risk science (e.g., Dow & Tuler, 2022; Lazrus et al., 2016; Pollard & Rose, 2019; Ram & Webler, 2022). Within this research approach, the aim is not to generalize findings but to document the insights for wider reference and application (Lapan, 2011).…”

The social amplification of risk framework: New perspectives

“…The creation of SARF stemmed from technologies and incidents that were considered “high hazards” (e.g., chemical explosions and nuclear accidents). Researchers are now exploring how SARF can support assessments around technologies with the potential for significant benefits along with uncertain hazards (see, e.g., Ram & Webler, 2022 in this special issue examining an offshore wind power case).…”

“…In their analysis of controversies about offshore wind in the United States, Ram and Webler (2022, this issue) make two contributions. First, they point out that few studies have made the point that benefits as well as risks can be amplified or attenuated in risk discourses (see, for example, Roberts, 2019).…”

Challenges and prospects of decarbonization of the economy in the age of AI

“…As opposed to them, Fulzele et al (2022), Pilloni et al (2022), Vatsa and Miljkovic (2022) in their writings point out the increasingly growing need for energy resources and, in particular, fossil fuel energy, to accelerate the recovery of the global economy from the COVID-19 crisis. Gargallo et al (2022), Ram and Webler (2022), Tan et al (2021), Zhang et al (2022) in their publications maintain that the world community is not ready to completely abandon fossil fuel energy and that clean energy involves certain constraints that are associated with its incomplete coverage of economic entities (constraints of infrastructure), high cost (financial constraints), as well as low and unpredictable performance (natural and climatic constraints of renewable energy sources).…”