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Peter May stated that this research effort focused on what can be learned from three analogous areas which can be transferred to increase earthquake hazard mitigation among home owners. It was assumed that in situations with low probability outcomes, few people voluntarily take proactive action. However, in the areas of energy conservation, radon reduction, and termite control evidence was presented which indicated that government-private sector partnership efforts had been undertaken to increase homeowner actions to mitigate potential dangers or to conserve energy. Those involved with earthquake mitigation could learn from these experiences.
The discussion was largely concerned with two general topics: 1) an elaboration of techniques and laws employed to stimulate private homeowner risk reduction activities, and 2) an exploration of earthquake mitigation strategies which have both been attempted and also could be attempted based on what was presented by May. It was generally concluded that the research results were valuable and the next step, transferring information to earthquake mitigation, had many potential benefits. At the end of the discussion, one audience member indicated that California law had recently changed concerning disclosure of earthquake hazards to potential buyers of residential property which may incorporate the implied findings in this research study.
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