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should an accident or terrorist attack occur. The measures do not come by themselves, and the path is often convoluted. As a rule, professional, managerial, and political processes are needed to make the decisions. And often there is discussion about what direction to follow. Consider, for example, the question of how to best meet the climate change risk.

To understand this world and be able to describe and manage the risks, we need suitable concepts, principles, and methods. We need a science of risk. And such a science is now emerging. This science is also part of the risk world. It is based on many ideas and thoughts that go far back in time. If we follow history, we will see that this part of the risk world is also full of mistakes and opportunities. Professionals have launched and continue to launch various concepts, principles, and methods, but it is difficult to agree on which are the most appropriate. This book will also give you knowledge about this part of the risk world.

This is not a traditional textbook on risk and risk science. The book is a collection of stories and reflections about risk and risk science. I want to give you, the reader, insight into what this subject and this science is about – and why it is important – by presenting illustrative examples and stories. In these times (2021 and 2022), we are particularly concerned with risks related to COVID-19, vaccination, and climate change. I have not heard many media people, bureaucrats, and politicians explaining to us what risk means in this context. It is not obvious. What is good communication about these risks? Do the authorities deal with them in a good way? Reference is made to the precautionary principle, but do we understand what it means in this context? Is it a meaningful principle to apply here? The politicians would like to be science-based, but what does that mean? After all, science does not always provide clear answers, at least not when the uncertainties are large.

The book does not provide a complete review of all subjects of risk science – that is not possible; the world of risk cannot be fully explained