Stakeholder Issues and Communication in Environmental Remediation (with a focus on uranium mining legacy sites)

Transcription

1 Stakeholder Issues and Communication in Environmental Remediation (with a focus on uranium mining legacy sites) H. Monken Fernandes Waste Technolgy Section NEFW - IAEA IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

2 In the end Cultural Backgrounds are surely different but perception about radiation seems to be very similar all over the world IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

3 Facts or purely public perception based on incomplete information? How available information affects the views of people to uranium mining and remediation projects? How public perception will determine the extent of remediation? IAEA 3

4 LONG TERM ISSUES: URANIUM MINES REMAIN DANGEROUS AFTER CLOSURE IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

5 Long term issues: uranium mines remain dangerous after closure (1/2) One problem globally is the clean up and maintenance of sites. Communities are often left to foot the bill ; Despite efforts made in cleaning up uranium sites, significant problems stemming from the legacy of uranium development still exist today IAEA 5

6 Long term issues: uranium mines remain dangerous after closure (2/2) Tailings dam all over the world have leakage problems and there are many documented instances of increased exposure to radiation in people living downstream from these tailings dams IAEA 6

7 BURDEN TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

8 USA Mining took place throughout the Navajo Nation, and there are at least one thousand abandoned and unreclaimed uranium mines within the Navajo Nation. The extent of toxic waste that came from the mills and plants that processed uranium and other products is still unknown. People talk about using Indian lands to store nuclear waste. What is the peace dividend for Navajo people? IAEA 8

9 Burden to indigenous people (1/4) The burden from the effects of uranium production, driven by a few countries seeking nuclear weapons and nuclear power, has been disproportionately carried by indigenous, colonised and other dominated peoples IAEA 9

10 Burden to indigenous people (2/4) Globally the nuclear industry has a history of developing their operations on indigenous peoples land against their wishes. Claims that lack of infrastructure and investment in remote areas, has allowed mining companies to pressure indigenous communities to permit mining on their sacred lands in exchange for basic services like school and hospitals IAEA 10

11 Burden to indigenous people (3/4) Royalties are claimed to be used as an enticement in areas where poverty and lack of services prevail due to government neglect. These conflicts can cause rifts in the community Inequity of the burden to restore the environment IAEA 11

12 Burden to indigenous people (4/4) These communities don't have as many resources as urban centers do clean up the pollution." Because of the location of the mines, there have been a disproportionate number of aboriginal workers as compared to those in other industries IAEA 12

13 INFLUENCE OF HISTORICAL LEGACY SITES AND LACK OF REGULATORY REGIME IAEA 13

14 Influence of historical legacy sites and lack of regulatory regime In Canada there was no regulatory upper limit to radiation exposure for Canadian miners from 1940 s until The Soviet Union operated East German mines with no radiation protection measures until 1954; they continued to be a radioactive disaster area for decades. IAEA 14

15 SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO PROPAGATE FEAR IAEA 15

16 Scientific evidence to propagate fear (1/3) 4 out of 9 people screened had radioactive chemicals in their bones after living near a uranium processing facility Uranium mining creates risks to workers and communities through radioactive dust, radon released from different sources); Uranium enters the body by ingestion or inhalation of airborne uranium-containing dust particles or aerosols; Inhalation of radon and radon progeny lead to radiation exposure of the bronchial tissue of the lung with a resultant risk of cancer IAEA 16

17 Scientific evidence to propagate fear (2/3) Residents living near uranium mining operations have a higher risk of genetic damage than people living further away; Workers exposed to uranium are at increased risk of various degrees of genetic damage Radiation is one of the few exposures for which the causeeffect relationship with childhood leukaemia has been established IAEA 17

18 Scientific evidence to propagate fear (3/3) Navajo Aboriginals in the U.S. historically had a significantly low incidence of lung cancers. In their population the skyrocketing of lung cancers in uranium miners of the 1950 s really brought home the point. IAEA 18

19 Trying to Address the Problem Improving Risk Communication IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

20 There are Two Languages Communicating Health Risk Expert Assessment of Risk Scientific Probabilistic Acceptable Risk Changing Knowledge Comparative Risk Population Averages A death is a death Public /Media Assessment of Risk Intuitive Yes/No Safety Is it or isn t it? Discrete Events Personal Consequences It matters how we die IAEA 20

21 Understanding Risk Perception Less Risky Voluntary Individual Control Familiar Low Dread Affects Everybody Naturally Occurring Little Media Attention Understood High Trust Consequences Limited/Known Benefits Understood Alternatives Available More Risky Involuntary Controlled by Others Unfamiliar High Dread Affects Children Human Origin High Media Attention Not Understood Low Trust Catastrophic Consequences Benefits Unclear No Alternatives IAEA 21

22 What Makes A Source Credible Assessed in First 30 Seconds Empathy and/or Caring Competence and Expertise Honesty and Openness Commitment and Dedication IAEA 22

23 Who the Public Perceives as Credible? MOST CREDIBLE Local citizens perceived as neutral, respected, informed about the issue Health/safety professionals (nurses, physicians, firefighters) Professors/educators (especially from respected local institutions) Clergy Non-profit organizations Media Environmental/advocacy groups Federal government State/local government Industry For profit consultants LEAST CREDIBLE IAEA 23

24 Typical stakeholders Residents Independent Experts Problem Holders Other Competent Authorities Companies Contractors Interest Group Authorities Consultants Government Environmental Department Worker Welfare IAEA 24

25 Functions of Stakeholders in ER of Contaminated Land Problem holders Authorities Consultants Contractors Public Cost effectiveness Functionality of environment media Efficient decision making Multifunctionality of soil Minimization of residual environmental load Consistent policy Efficient decision making Interests of their clients Efficient decision making Shareholder benefits Interests of their clients Efficient decision making Shareholder benefits Risk Reduction Minimal limitation of use (sites) Minimal nuisance Efficient decision making Maintenance/improvement of socioeconomic conditions IAEA 25

26 Keeping Stakeholders Involved Development of a national policy on ER; Development of better understanding about the relevant issues; Development of guidance; Effective involvement of stakeholder in the regulatory framework elaboration; Establishment of information systems IAEA 26

27 Driving the process requires both determination and framework Engagement of local players to solve their problem; Determination of local and federal players to come to mutually agreed resolution; Attention given to developing a comprehensive solution; Willingness to take time needed to discuss and learn IAEA 27

28 END OF PRESENTATION THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IAEA 28