Preventing Disasters: Public Health Vulnerability Reduction as a Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Keim
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Human Vulnerability ◽  
Weather Events

ABSTRACTGlobal warming could increase the number and severity of extreme weather events. These events are often known to result in public health disasters, but we can lessen the effects of these disasters. By addressing the factors that cause changes in climate, we can mitigate the effects of climate change. By addressing the factors that make society vulnerable to the effects of climate, we can adapt to climate change. To adapt to climate change, a comprehensive approach to disaster risk reduction has been proposed. By reducing human vulnerability to disasters, we can lessen—and at times even prevent—their impact.Human vulnerability is a complex phenomenon that comprises social, economic, health, and cultural factors. Because public health is uniquely placed at the community level, it has the opportunity to lessen human vulnerability to climate-related disasters. At the national and international level, a supportive policy environment can enable local adaptation to disaster events. The purpose of this article is to introduce the basic concept of disaster risk reduction so that it can be applied to preventing and mitigating the negative effects of climate change and to examine the role of community-focused public health as a means for lessening human vulnerability and, as a result, the overall risk of climate-related disasters.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:140–148)

scholarly journals Extreme Events, Critical Infrastructures, Human Vulnerability and Strategic Planning: Emerging Research Issues

2016 ◽  
Vol 03 (04) ◽  
pp. 1650017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joern Birkmann ◽  
Friedemann Wenzel ◽  
Stefan Greiving ◽  
Matthias Garschagen ◽  
Dirk Vallée ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Critical Infrastructures ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Human Vulnerability

The importance of critical infrastructures and strategic planning in the context of extreme events, climate change and urbanization has been underscored recently in international policy frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (UNISDR (United Nations/International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction) 2015), and the new Paris climate agreement (UNFCCC (United Nations — Framework Convention on Climate Change) 2015) as well as the New Urban Agenda (UN-HABITAT 2016). This paper outlines key research challenges in addressing the nexus between extreme weather events, critical infrastructure resilience, human vulnerability and strategic planning. Using a structured expert dialogue approach (particularly based on a roundtable discussion funded by the German National Science Foundation (DFG)), the paper outlines emerging research issues in the context of extreme events, critical infrastructures, human vulnerability and strategic planning, providing perspectives for inter- and transdisciplinary research on this important nexus. The main contribution of the paper is a compilation of identified research gaps and needs from an interdisciplinary perspective including the lack of integration across subjects and mismatches between different concepts and schools of thought.

General Recommendation No. 37 (2018) on the Gender-Related Dimensions of Disaster Risk Reduction in the Context of Climate Change

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-307
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Ice Caps ◽  
General Recommendation ◽  
The Right

This general recommendation provides guidance to States parties on the implementation of their obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (the Convention) in relation to disaster risk reduction and climate change. In their reports submitted to the Committee pursuant to article 18, States parties should address general obligations to ensure substantive equality between women and men in all areas of life, as well as the specific guarantees in relation to those rights under the Convention that may be particularly affected by climate change and disasters, including extreme weather events such as floods and hurricanes, as well as slow-onset phenomena, such as the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, drought and sea-level rise. General recommendation 37 is intended to underscore the urgency of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and to highlight the steps necessary to achieve gender equality, the realization of which will reinforce the resilience of individuals and communities globally in the context of climate change and disasters. It is also intended to contribute to coherence, accountability and the mutual reinforcement of international agendas on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, by focusing on the impacts of climate change and disasters on women’s human rights including the right to live free from gender-based violence against women and girls, rights to education and information, rights to work and social protection, right to health, right to an adequate standard of living, and right to freedom of movement.

scholarly journals Early warning system on extreme weather events for disaster risk reduction

2019 ◽  
pp. 80-87
Author(s):  
Jacipt Alexander Ramón-Valencia ◽  
Jordi Rafael Palacios-González ◽  
Germán Rircardo Santos-Granados ◽  
Jarol Derley Ramón-Valencia
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Weather Events

The objective of this research was to propose a strategy based on the design and implementation of an early warning system (EWS) for extreme weather events. This project had the following phases: training for municipal and regional actors, preliminary technical diagnosis of the study areas, monitoring network, and the weather forecasts using numerical models WRF and GFS. This EWS is the result of the Macro-project EWS for Climate Events in the basins of the Pamplonita River and Zulia in the North of Santander (SATC), executed by the University of Pamplona and financed by the National Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) and the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ). The research concluded that the application of a disaster risk reduction strategy through an EWS for extreme weather events is an important tool and instrument for the planning of higher risk management because it helps anticipate disasters and consequently preserve lives.

Natural Hazards and Their Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dewald van Niekerk ◽  
Livhuwani David Nemakonde
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazard ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Hazard Management ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Sub Saharan

The sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region, along with the rest of the African continent, is prone to a wide variety of natural hazards. Most of these hazards and the associated disasters are relatively silent and insidious, encroaching on life and livelihoods, increasing social, economic, and environmental vulnerability even to moderate events. With the majority of SSA’s disasters being of hydrometeorological origin, climate change through an increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events is likely to exacerbate the situation. Whereas a number of countries in SSA face significant governance challenges to effectively respond to disasters and manage risk reduction measures, considerable progress has been made since the early 2000s in terms of policies, strategies, and/or institutional mechanisms to advance disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management. As such, most countries in SSA have developed/reviewed policies, strategies, and plans and put in place institutions with dedicated staffs and resources for natural hazard management. However, the lack of financial backing, limited skills, lack of coordination among sectors, weak political leadership, inadequate communication, and shallow natural hazard risk assessment, hinders effective natural hazard management in SSA. The focus here is on the governance of natural hazards in the sub-Saharan Africa region, and an outline of SSA’s natural hazard profile is presented. Climate change is increasing the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events, thus influencing the occurrence of natural hazards in this region. Also emphasized are good practices in natural hazard governance, and SSA’s success stories are described. Finally, recommendations on governance arrangements for effective implementation of disaster risk reduction initiatives and measures are provided.

scholarly journals (A158) Preventing Disasters: Public Health Vulnerability Reduction as a Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s45-s45
Author(s):  
M. Keim
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Population Exposure ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Human Vulnerability ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundGlobal warming is predicted to increase the number and severity of extreme weather events. (IPCC 2007) But we can lessen the effects of these disasters. “Critically important will be factors that directly shape the health of populations such as education, health care, public health prevention and infrastructure.” (IPCC 2007) A comprehensive approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR) has been proposed for climate change adaptation. (Thomalla 2006) DRR is cost-effective. One dollar invested in DRR can save $2-10 in disaster response and recovery costs. (Mechler 2005) Disasters occur as a result of the combination of population exposure to a hazard; the conditions of vulnerability that are present; and insufficient capacity to reduce or cope with the potential negative consequences.DiscussionBy reducing human vulnerability to disasters, we can lessen—and at times even prevent—their impact. Vulnerability may be lessened by: 1) reducing human exposures to the hazard by a reduction of human vulnerability, 2) lessening human susceptibility to the hazard, and 3) building resilience to the impact of the hazard. (Keim 2008) Public health disasters are prevented when populations are protected from exposure to the hazard. Public awareness and education can be used to promote a “culture of prevention” and to encourage local prevention activities. Public health disasters may also be mitigated through both structural and social measures undertaken to limit a health hazard's adverse impact. (IPCC 2007) Community-level public health can play an important part in lessening human vulnerability to climate-related disasters through promotion of “healthy people, healthy homes and healthy, disaster resilience communities.” (Srinivasan 2003)

scholarly journals The Alignment of Australia’s National Construction Code and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Achieving Resilient Buildings and Communities

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
Wesley Wei ◽  
Mohammad Mojtahedi ◽  
Maziar Yazdani ◽  
Kamyar Kabirifar
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Sendai Framework ◽  
Building Resilience ◽  
The Impact

The risks associated with extreme weather events induced by climate change are increasingly being recognized, and must be addressed through each country’s construction regulations, building codes, and standards. Ensuring that buildings and cities are resilient against disasters is becoming more important. Few studies have analyzed the impact of global polices and frameworks in reducing disaster risks and increasing resilience in built environments. This research reviews disasters associated with climate change in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, analyzing how Australia’s National Construction Code is aligned with the framework and the potential implications for reducing disaster risk. Decision-makers in construction companies in Sydney, Australia, were surveyed. The results show there is a statistically significant link among the National Construction Code, the Sendai Framework, and building resilience. The Sendai Framework is an effective mediator in this three-pronged relationship that can further enhance building resilience in Australia. Stakeholders in the construction industry will need to incorporate disaster risk reduction practices, especially authorities, such as local governments, building commissioners, and building certifiers that are responsible for the approval, quality, and defects mitigation of development applications and best practices. Overall, implementation of the Sendai Framework will help develop more regulations and standards for resilient buildings, set targets, and make improvements over time in the Australian construction industry.

An Open Source Approach for Watershed's Delimitation to Support Flood Monitoring

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 77-88
Author(s):  
Tiago Carvalho ◽  
Leonardo B. L. Santos ◽  
Eduardo F. P. Luz ◽  
Rogério Ishibashi ◽  
Aurelienne A. S. Jorge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Suggested Approach ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Flood Monitoring ◽  
Extreme Rain

In the last years, natural disasters have become more frequent and their impacts have reached a large number of people. When these events happen in unprepared regions, they can cause human and material losses. The consequences can be even more catastrophic when the responsible entities are not properly prepared. To minimize the impacts of extreme weather events, especially extreme rain which can trigger severe floods, this paper proposes a methodological approach to monitor floods through open source software, based on watershed's delineation. The suggested approach can be a tool to support disaster risk reduction planning.

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