Efficient Risk Communication to Strengthen the Participation of Local Communities in the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. A Case in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania

Abstract

Risk communication facilitates the understanding of risks by the local communities and results in a higher acceptance degree of the people regarding the management of risks. Constant communication between all stakeholders on topics like community sustainable development (including environmental risk management) leads to a better local governance and a higher public engagement in the problems of the community, leading to improved behavior patterns. Moreover, broader and more effective community engagement is greatly encouraged in the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development through citizen science and community-based participatory research initiatives. In complex contexts, citizen science appears as an indispensable tool given the historical and micro-spatial patterning of environmental problems. This paper focuses on a case which includes three former/still active mining areas and it aims to identify the stakeholders involved in risk communication, their main themes of interest and some tailored methods for public participation, in line with their needs and opinions on the existing risks. The results of the research in these areas revealed a high potential for learning in the local mining communities and their openness towards scientific information and citizen science initiatives. This is a potential that could be capitalized for a higher public engagement in the management of environmental issues of the area and for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.