Assessing Flood Risk Awareness Contributes to Environmental Policy Formation
Monday, 7 March, 2022
Dr Eoin O’Neill of the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy, Photo by Ste Murray
Due to climate change, there has been an increase in the frequency of exceptional heavy rainfall leading to flooding. This poses problems for people living or working near water courses and it can also increase the risk of poorly performing Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) and the risk of contamination of well water for people living in rural areas. But how well do such people really understand these risks and to what extent has their understanding prompted them to take appropriate steps to protect themselves.? Dr Eoin O’Neill has sought to identify the answers to these questions through a series of research studies. The information gleaned has contributed to the development of environmental policies by government and agencies at both national and European levels.
"People who do not perceive themselves to be exposed to flood risk are less likely to undertake preventive actions that will reduce the harmful impacts of flooding on them. It is important that these complex issues are understood, as future awareness-raising activities will be required to help people adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change."
You can read the full case study here: Assessing Flood Risk Awareness Contributes to Environmental Policy Formation