An Overview of Social Science Research on Community Impacts of Marine Oil Spills

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An Overview of Social Science Research on Community Impacts of Marine Oil Spills Liesel Ashley Ritchie Natural Hazards Center Institute of Behavioral Science University of Colorado

1 An Overview of Social Science Research on Community Impacts of Marine Oil Spills Liesel Ashley Ritchie Natural Hazards Center Institute of Behavioral Science University of Colorado Boulder Presentation at National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Workshop on Preparing for a Rapid Response to Major Marine Oil Spills August 2, 2017 Washington, DC

2 Societal Dimensions of Hazards and Disasters What we know about the social impacts of marine oil spills is situated in a longstanding body of research on societal dimensions of hazards and disasters

3 Disaster Events: Continuum of Deliberateness Acts of God Events Caused by Human Error or Recreancy Purposeful, Premeditated Acts Litigation Natural Disasters Technological Disasters Terrorism, Mass Shootings Ritchie (2004) based on Green (1982, 1996).

4 Buffalo Creek Flood, West Virginia (1972) - Technological progress seeks its own level of incompetence ~ Erikson (1976)

5 Love Canal, New York (1978)

6 Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania (1979)

7 Key Issues Associated with Technological Disasters Overall, pervasive uncertainty Contested interpretations of the event Loss of control Primary responsible parties Response processes are different (e.g., clean-up activities) Social vulnerability to environmental hazards Disruption of interpersonal/group relationships

8 Key Issues Associated with Technological Disasters Community ties to the environment Invisible trauma to the natural and social environments Secondary trauma from bureaucratic impersonality including claims, settlement, and litigation processes Long-term adverse health outcomes Lack of closure chronic community impacts Recovery becomes elusive

9 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Alaska (1989)

10 Social Impacts of Marine Oil Spills Empirical research on marine oil spills has documented similar patterns and increased understanding of the effects of toxic environmental contamination on communities

11 BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Gulf of Mexico (2010)

Key Findings: Psychosocial Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Early studies revealed heightened levels of stress and depression Additional research showed: - Harmful mental health impacts,

12 Key Findings: Psychosocial Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Early studies revealed heightened levels of stress and depression Additional research showed: - Harmful mental health impacts, behavioral effects, and social disruption related to the disaster - Strong relationships between elevated levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, and concerns about spill-related economic impacts - Individuals with high levels of community attachment experienced increased stress, as well as apprehension about community well-being

Key Findings Comparative studies of the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon spills revealed similar psychosocial impacts among a sample of residents from Cordova, Alaska and a sample of residents from

13 Key Findings Comparative studies of the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon spills revealed similar psychosocial impacts among a sample of residents from Cordova, Alaska and a sample of residents from coastal Alabama Among the strongest predictors of stress: - Concerns about family health and economic future - Economic loss - Connections to renewable resources - Exposure to the oil - Involvement with compensation processes

14 Important Considerations

15 Where we are Now decades of social science research has influenced programmatic activities, including efforts employed in the Gulf Region after Katrina, Rita, and the 2010 oil spill It has also influenced social impact assessment work in the context of oil and gas development activities

16 A Way Forward Increase understanding about how specific mitigation, preparedness, response, and compensation processes affect community resilience and long-term recovery prospects Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and activities related to oil spill prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery Include marine oil spill research in broad-based community resilience efforts

17 A Way Forward Build consensus on standard measures Focus on preparedness and awareness understanding and communicating risk in local and regional contexts Emphasize inclusion of local knowledge Actively seek civic engagement and develop effective, inclusive community processes in prevention, response, and mitigation activities

INTRODUCTION. NOS Priorities Roadmap, p. 3

INTRODUCTION. NOS Priorities Roadmap, p. 3 INTRODUCTION In the United States, almost 40 percent of the population lives in coastal shoreline counties. These counties contribute $6.6 trillion, or just under half of the country s gross domestic product,