Whose “Security” Is Important?: Communicating Risk about Soil to a Diverse Population.

Scientists have identified a growing number of environmental issues involving soil that will impact human security in the near term: erosion, possible positive feedbacks to climate change, nutrient availability, etc. The key challenge, in order to garner the resources and legislation needed to alleviate these looming impacts, is to convey the magnitude and importance of the issues in a personally compelling way to the non-science audience and to policy makers. “Soil Security”, as an emerging theme, indeed articulates the issues well, but may not ultimately be effective with an audience that is more concerned about the immediate welfare of their families, communities, and nation as opposed to the fate of a natural resource that seems vague or abstract. Recent research in science communication and risk assessment has revealed much about why people believe what they do, and the psychological filters that all individuals use to winnow out important personal issues. The fundamental implications of this research is that only certain segments of an audience will be susceptible or open to traditional education or data. Many people will respond more effectively if the issue is cast as a matter of national defense, human security, national pride, or the success of their children and grandchildren. Soil Science has an interesting and opportune window to better position itself in the environmental arena, but effective and well reasoned communication will underlie how effective we will ultimately be.