After fifty days of failure we see a new pattern of questions emerging. The risk is being correctly recognised as a function of many factors – a complexity of things which are linked, interrelated or nested. And like peeling back onion layers, the exploration of “root cause” needs to be thoughtful and systematic. An important thread to explore is the evolution of how we, as a society, have chosen to meet our basic needs. This mapping process is illustrated in the diagram below.
(Ref: Figure 6 in "Risk Profiling in Disaster Management Methodology" by John Salter)
A key question is “what is the output from such an enquiry in terms of outcomes?” Outcomes are about social structures, arrangements and agreements. And the outputs from a systematic assessment of the current oil spill fiasco should challenge the very core of our social and economic structures. Issues of wealth, power and status are always difficult to address. In any society no one wants to “give theirs up”. In the end, we will all have to face a collective dilema – and ultimately one which is a challenge of will. Will we be up to it?
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