Environmental Risk Communication

Modern industry faces many communication challenges, including social media. The second edition of this book is thoroughly updated, expanded, and reorganized to help industry communicators remain effective in addressing these challenges. At the core of this book are foundational building blocks that address the human factors responsible for driving success or failure when communicating about environmental risk. Features - Provides principled guidance for building relationships and engaging in constructive dialogue with stakeholders. - Offers straight talk and practical, easy-to-follow guidance on effective risk communication for various situations, stakeholders, and modes of communication. - Gives lessons learned from environmental permitting and crisis situations involving risk communication in various industries, including chemical manufacturing, waste management, and the energy sector. - Addresses nuanced, recent concerns regarding issues like fake news and social media bullying. - Examines the dos and don'ts of communicating effectively during tough conditions like environmental emergencies. Environmental Risk Communication: Principles and Practices for Industry is intended to be both a grounding in enduring principles and a continued resource for best approaches and techniques. Coupled with tools and best practices from decades of experience, this insider's guide provides CEOs, plant managers, environmental compliance professionals, health and safety officers, and others with the direction and the confidence needed to prepare for difficult dialogue and high-pressure encounters.

Susan Zummo Forney, president of EHS Communication Partners, Inc., provides expert communications counsel, quality training programs and professional communication products to clients dealing with environmental, health and safety concerns. She has nearly 30 years of experience in environmental consulting, providing a unique blend of technical knowledge and principled communication strategies that position clients for success in stakeholder communications and engagement. Ms. Forney has provided risk communication and community relations support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, and various private industries such as electric utilities, chemical manufacturers and waste management companies. She has conducted numerous communications presentations and training workshops for industry trade groups and professional organizations. Anthony J. Sadar, founder of Environmental Science Communication, LLC, recently retired as an Air Pollution Administrator for the Allegheny County Health Department, Air Quality Program, in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist with 40 years of experience in air pollution meteorology and science education. Besides his former employment with Allegheny County, Mr. Sadar has taught for many years at colleges and universities in western PA and is currently an adjunct associate professor at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. He has also worked in private consulting, investigating a variety of high-profile industrial air pollution issues and emergency release situations. As part of his work, Mr. Sadar has presented air monitoring and modeling results before general public audiences, some quite hostile. He learned from theory and practice some of the best techniques to address highly-charged issues and has trained industry staff to successfully manage challenging public meetings.

1. The Art and Science of Risk Communication .......................................... 1 2. Walk the Talk .................................................................................................. 7 3. Set Goals to Guide Your Communication Investment ..........................21 4. Tailor Your Approach and Messages to Your Audience ........................37 5. Address Emotions before Facts .................................................................. 47 6. Don't Skimp on the Public Participation Process ...................................69 7. Tackle the Tough Issues Head-on ............................................................. 89 8. Work with the Media ..................................................................................105 9. Rely on Best Practices for Conveying Information ..............................125