The View from the Coast: A Scientist Conducts Environmental Research That Measures Beliefs Not Bacteria


Monday, December 16, 2013

"There isn't an environmental issue that isn't a people issue," contends sociologist Tom Safford.



Given the substantial coastal tourism economy in New Hampshire and Maine—estimated at $400 million annually—as well as the importance of coastal resources to some of the region's most financially vulnerable citizens—fishers, Safford's research could play a crucial role in sustaining the coastal economy far into the future.


"Sociology provides a baseline understanding of people's perceptions and their beliefs and how different social factors might influence those beliefs," says Safford.

In studies he's conducted elsewhere—Alaska and Washington's Puget Sound among them, Safford has found that key stakeholders often assess problems and make decisions based on misperceptions and incomplete information. Even when scientific data is available, it's not always considered credible. That's when sociological data can be useful.


"People often pose the economics against the environment," says Safford. "But we actually don't know a lot about the economics, so decision-makers are working in a vacuum. They might think: 'We know that closures are going to have economic impacts. But should I invest in my town—raise taxes to manage our sewage treatment in a better way? How much will that choice impact our beach tourism?' There's a lot of uncertainty and not a lot of data."

Sociological data can also be used to conduct education campaigns. In the Puget Sound study, Safford's team created a public display at the Seattle Aquarium that combined biophysical and social data. In some cases, the data showed a disconnect between what people think a good solution to a coastal problem might be and what the actual negative effects of that solution are.

"Riprap is a good example," says Safford. "Ripraps are fortifications that people put up on the sides of their piers to control erosion. They have negative environmental impacts, but many people think they are clean and neat and represent how they imagine a very organized waterfront area should appear. People have a sense that something constructed is cleaner and more protective."


Safford is quick to point out that his job isn't to try to change people's perceptions or behaviors but to supply the data that will allow those involved in environmental issues to make informed decisions.



Much like the NSF project in New Hampshire and Maine, the Brazil project will engage all stakeholders—government agencies, nonprofits, community groups, fishers, etc., and work with them as partners.

"I'm a big proponent of engaged research," says Safford. "I think it's really important, both in the NSF project and in my plan for Brazil, to engage people in the research process not just as the recipients of a bunch of data—a nice little brochure—but actually getting their input into the design of the research."


"It's fantastic to have sociologists and water scientists working together," says Safford. "It's a parallel world."

Written by Susan Dumais, The College Letter