One of the scientists, according to the SMH, advised local residents to 'relax with a glass of wine'. Six days later a 6.3-magnitude earthquake killed more than 300 people:
The judgement (which could equally affect scientists involved in climate change, floods, bush fires etc) raises a whole lot of issues about scientists and communication.
And it gives an interesting perspective to a symposium on disasters and science communication in Christchurch next year.
A program is about to be posted on the SCANZ website. The symposium is on 21-22 February 2013, and is jointly hosted by PCST and the Science Communicator's Assn of New Zealand. It marks the 2 year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit Christchurch in 2011.
Toss Gascoigne
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Toss Gascoigne
President
PCST Network
Join the PCST network at:
P. +61 408 704 442