Inoculation Theory at the Intersection of Disasters and Catastrophes

This chapter considers inoculation theory in the context of disasters and catastrophes, drawing from extant crisis and risk communication literature. The chapter explores the benefits of using an inoculation approach to mitigating communication challenges, such as the protective mechanism of inoculation against inaccurate or wrong environmental crisis information, and potential issues when applying such a lens, including uncertainty around when an inoculation message should be shared for the best effect in a crisis situation. Specific case studies concerning communication about tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, wildfire smoke, and political extremism are considered, as well as a more thorough treatment of one of the most studied areas of inoculation theory and environmental crises: climate change.