Public literacy around systemic disasters: A case study of the South Australian coastal harmful algal bloom — The Association Specialists
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  2. Oral Presentations - Climate, environment and human health 1
  3. Public literacy around systemic disasters: A case study of the South Australian coastal harmful algal bloom

Public literacy around systemic disasters: A case study of the South Australian coastal harmful algal bloom (23772)

Jacqueline Stephens 1 , Marianne Haines 2 , Heidi Kenyon 3 , Sally Cook 4 , Emily Ragus 5 , Enya Chitty 6 , Naomi Downer 7 , Katherine Daniell 2 8 9 , Sarah Emmett 7 , Will Richards 10 , Andrew Meares 2 , James Daniell 11 12 , Amy McLennan 2 13
  1. Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. School of Cybernetics, College of Systems and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
  3. School of Creative and Performing Arts, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas, Australia
  4. Biophilia Consulting, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  5. Amsterdam Institute of Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  6. College of Science & Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  7. Independent researcher, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  8. Fenner School of Environment and Society, College of Systems and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
  9. Institute for Water Futures, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
  10. Pollination Law, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
  11. Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  12. Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
  13. School of Medicine, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Background: As the Earth’s climate system approaches critical tipping points, systemic and chronic environmental disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. The harmful algal bloom (HAB) affecting South Australian (SA) coastal waters since early 2025 is an example. Despite 87% of Australians living within 50 km of the coast, little is known about public awareness, concern, and expectations regarding HABs and similar hazards.

Methods: We conducted a nationally representative survey of Australian residents to assess knowledge, risk perception, behavioural responses, and views on responsibility for HAB mitigation and management. The survey captured baseline awareness and responses following exposure to information about the South Australian HAB.

Results: A total of 1,031 respondents participated (49.6% female; 73.2% urban; 37.3% aged ≥55 years). Baseline awareness of HABs was low: only 2.4% identified the SA HAB unprompted, and concern about contaminated water (60%) was substantially lower than for bushfires (82%). Public understanding was limited, with 57.2% identifying incorrect causes of HABs and 50% unaware of potential human health impacts. Despite this, concern increased markedly after information exposure, with 72.7% reporting concern about the HAB. Awareness was higher among SA respondents (93.7%), though fewer than half (42.5%) reported strong knowledge. Environmental impacts (32.1%) and uncertainty (27.3%) were the most common concerns. Respondents expected government-led action (77% vs ~30% personal responsibility). In SA, 50.7% reported behaviour changes, including avoiding beaches and ocean activities.

Conclusion: There is a critical gap in public understanding of emerging, chronic environmental hazards affecting coastal regions. However, our findings demonstrate targeted risk communication can rapidly increase awareness and prompt adaptive behaviours without necessarily causing undue alarm. Given strong public expectations of government responsibility, effective communication strategies may support timely and appropriate policy responses. Strengthening public literacy around systemic environmental risks will be essential as such events become more frequent under climate change.