scholarly journals Natural hazards and climate change are not drivers of disasters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alik Ismail-Zadeh
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazard ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Time Dependent

AbstractMany nations face challenges in assessing, understanding, and responding to the time-dependent nature of disaster risk. Changes in the intensity of occurrences of extreme events coupled with changes in vulnerability and exposure alter the impacts of natural hazards on society in mostly negative ways. Here an interrelationship between natural hazard (NH), climate change (CC), vulnerability (V), exposure (E), and decisionmaking (DM) is considered. While NHs trigger disasters and CC is likely to intensify occurrences of disasters, V and E present major drivers of disasters. Informed DM on disaster risk reduction should be based on scientific evidence from NH and CC, knowledge of V and E, and relevant options for actions on preventive disaster measures as a part of preparedness and public awareness.

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.

Multiple-hazards and their interactions in urban low-to-middle income countries: a case study from Nairobi

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce D. Malamud ◽  
Emmah Mwangi ◽  
Joel Gill ◽  
Ekbal Hussain ◽  
Faith Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazard ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Soil Subsidence ◽  
Ground Collapse

<p>Global policy frameworks, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, increasingly advocate for multi-hazard approaches across different spatial scales. However, management approaches on the ground are still informed by siloed approaches based on one single natural hazard (e.g. flood, earthquake, snowstorm). However, locations are rarely subjected to a single natural hazard but rather prone to more than one. These different hazards and their interactions (e.g. one natural hazard triggering or increasing the probability of one or more natural hazards), together with exposure and vulnerability, shape the disaster landscape of a given region and associated disaster impact.  Here, as part of the UK GCRF funded research grant “Tomorrow’s Cities” we first map out the single natural hazardscape for Nairobi using evidence collected through peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, social media and newspapers. We find the following hazard groups and hazard types present in Nairobi: (i) geophysical (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides), (ii) hydrological (floods and droughts), (iii) shallow earth processes (regional subsidence, ground collapse, soil subsidence, ground heave), (iv) atmospheric hazards (storm, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold), (v) biophysical (urban fires), and vi) space hazards (geomatic storms, and impact events). The breadth of single natural hazards that can potentially impact Nairobi is much larger than normally considered by individual hazard managers that work in Nairobi. We then use a global hazard matrix to identify possible hazard interactions, focusing on the following interaction mechanisms: (i) hazard triggering secondary hazard, (ii) hazards amplifying the possibility of the secondary hazard occurring.  We identify 67 possible interactions, as well as some of the interaction cascade typologies that are typical for Nairobi (e.g. a storm triggers and increases the probability of a flood which in turn increases the probability of a flood). Our results indicate a breadth of natural hazards and their interactions in Nairobi, and emphasise a need for a multi-hazard approach to disaster risk reduction.</p>

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 Brief communication: Strengthening coherence between climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction through policies, methods and practices in Europe

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Mysiak ◽  
Sergio Castellari ◽  
Blaz Kurnik ◽  
Rob Swart ◽  
Patrick Pringle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazard ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Climate Risk Management

Abstract. Reducing natural hazard risks and adapting to climate change are ever more important policy goals. Sound climate risk management will lessen the impacts of disaster risks and contribute to boosting resilience. Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction have to some extent been mainstreamed into international and national policies but it is important to ensure that the resulting efforts are consistent and mutually supportive. The EEA report »Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Europe: enhancing coherence of the knowledge base, policies and practices« identifies several ways how the coherence between CCA and DRR can be promoted.

scholarly journals Innovative practices for the promotion of local/indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction management in Sudur Paschim Province, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kabi Prasad Pokhrel ◽  
Shambhu Prasad Khatiwada ◽  
Narayan Prasad Paudel ◽  
Keshav Raj Dhakal ◽  
Chhabilal Chidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Educational Policy ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Disaster Risk

This study is an attempt to point out the variety of natural hazards, such as landslides, droughts, soil erosion, earthquakes, lightening and floods in Sudur Paschim province of Nepal which are exacerbated by environmental degradation processes such as deforestation, desertification, biodiversity loss, soil crisp and watershed degradation. The study was  carried out using participatory approach and process for collecting information, established methods and techniques to identify the hazard prone area with type and intensity  and multi criteria evaluation method to prioritize replicable actions with   location -specific innovative practices and their  legitimization  for integrating local and indigenous knowledge into  science and technology through educational policy and assessment to incorporate local and indigenous knowledge as live science in disaster and climate change education. Findings of the study reveal that varieties of natural hazards in combination with social factors such as poverty, conflict and inequality and these events and processes result in frequent disasters. When threatened by a hazard, indigenous communities respond by making use of all this knowledge and practices, which has evolved over generations, and continue to adapt to future changes. However, these traditional, often faith-based, beliefs and practices are embedded in their day-today lives are key to their resilience in the face of natural hazards. Many communities are concerned that this knowledge might be lost as the elderly die without transferring it to younger members of the community due to lack of proper educational policy and strategic development plans and have not properly addressed natural hazards and socio-economic vulnerability by coping local/indigenous knowledge into practices. Indigenous and traditional knowledge is a precious national resource that can support the process of disaster prevention, preparedness and response in cost-effective disaster risk reduction. Asa suggestive measures, ,findings of the study forwarded  some policy issues in the context of disaster risk reduction local practices and their need to integrate mainstreaming educational programs with producing tools for integrating local and indigenous knowledge with science; and develop information, education and communication that promote local/ indigenous knowledge for the multi hazard risk reduction and climate change adaptation in mostly vulnerable locations of Sudur Paschim Province, Nepal. 

scholarly journals Exposure to natural hazard events unassociated with policy change for improved disaster risk reduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Nohrstedt ◽  
Maurizio Mazzoleni ◽  
Charles F. Parker ◽  
Giuliano Di Baldassarre
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Policy Change ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Natural Hazard ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Event Frequency ◽  
The World ◽  
Robust Result

AbstractNatural hazard events provide opportunities for policy change to enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR), yet it remains unclear whether these events actually fulfill this transformative role around the world. Here, we investigate relationships between the frequency (number of events) and severity (fatalities, economic losses, and affected people) of natural hazards and DRR policy change in 85 countries over eight years. Our results show that frequency and severity factors are generally unassociated with improved DRR policy when controlling for income-levels, differences in starting policy values, and hazard event types. This is a robust result that accounts for event frequency and different hazard severity indicators, four baseline periods estimating hazard impacts, and multiple policy indicators. Although we show that natural hazards are unassociated with improved DRR policy globally, the study unveils variability in policy progress between countries experiencing similar levels of hazard frequency and severity.

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