Christian Morgner has written about heatwaves — a subject that has been receiving increasing attention as climate change produces more and stronger examples around the world.
But it’s not enough to recognise the physical reality. Policymakers also need to understand how people respond to heatwaves and the various ways in which they perceive the dangers involved.
Morgner’s article suggests Mary Douglas’s cultural theory is a useful lens through which to view this strange situation where similar events may provoke very different responses depending on prior cultural commitments.
By applying the Cultural Theory of Risk, policymakers and communities can better understand and harness the social and cultural dynamics at play in managing the risks associated with heatwaves in Southeast Asia.
The Cultural Theory of Risk and its Application to Heatwaves in South-East Asia
