Warning the world of extreme events: A global perspective on risk communication for natural and technological disaster

Due to a variety of factors such as population growth, globalization, and environmental change, mankind is increasingly susceptible to both natural and technological disasters. To prevent the unnecessary loss of life, human suffering, and property loss, nations around the world now recognize that warning systems are an integral part of risk communication. The current work reviews a number of theoretical frameworks that describe how the public responds to warnings. It seeks to identify the components of effective warnings and evaluative techniques that can be used to judge successful implementation of warning systems. Our goal is to describe the variables that influence disaster warnings in general before discussing terrorism as a case study in disaster warning. Lastly, implications for future research in the area of international disaster warnings are discussed.

► Warning systems are an integral part of risk communication.
► The current work reviews a number of theoretical frameworks that describe how the public responds to warnings.
► Components of warnings and evaluative techniques are identified.
► Implications for future research in the area of international disaster warnings are discussed.