Knowledge Base highlights and editors' picks

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Every week the PreventionWeb team of editors selects the latest news and research, reports and publications on disaster risk reduction – here is their selection of the latest must-read content.

Father protects his children with umbrellas from the sun on a very hot day.

Update

25 July 2024

Monday was the warmest day recorded on Earth. But how do scientists actually measure that?

In the past week, Earth's record for the hottest day was broken twice. Sunday July 21 was declared Earth's hottest day since records began, when average surface temperature reached 17.09°C. On Monday the record fell again, temperatures reached 17.16°C.

Conversation Media Group, the

Research briefs

22 July 2024

USC scientists use AI to predict a wildfire’s next move

Researchers have developed a new model that combines generative AI and satellite data to accurately forecast wildfire spread.

University of Southern California

rescue person looking inside a fallen building

Update

19 July 2024

Structures can be both earthquake-resilient and sustainable

Several studies show that constructing safe structures in earthquake-prone regions can be accomplished using sustainable materials that range from mass timber to recycled tires.

Temblor

Malia Beach with washed up items following big floodings on Crete Island in Greece.

Update

24 July 2024

Flood risk and credit to SMEs

This column uses localised data from three European countries to identify the financial impact of flooding on small and medium-sized enterprises, an important channel beyond the immediate impact on physical capital.

Centre for Economic Policy Research

Hurricane Florence seen from Space in September 2018

Update

18 July 2024

New Texas trends survey highlights power outages and preparedness in the shadow of Hurricane Beryl

A new survey from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University is providing insight into Texans' past experiences with extreme weather, including prolonged power outages, and how those experiences impacted their preparedness for future events.

University of Houston

Wildfire in Stanislaus National Forest, California, 2013

Research briefs

22 July 2024

Researchers enhance tool to better predict where and when wildfires will occur

A newly enhanced database is expected to help wildfire managers and scientists better predict where and when wildfires may occur by incorporating hundreds of additional factors that impact the ignition and spread of fire.

Oregon State University

Update

22 July 2024

How can the world reduce deaths from extreme heat?

The world will need to adapt to increased temperatures. What can societies do to save lives?

Our World in Data (OWID)

Surreal artistic image of a smiling high school student sitting a mountain of books thinking.

Update

19 July 2024

Climate disasters are destroying Pakistan’s mountain languages

Climate-induced disasters are forcing people to migrate out of mountainous areas, and in the process their languages and cultures are being profoundly affected

Dialogue Earth

Person who attends online lessons on a digital screen

Update

19 July 2024

Bahamian professionals use PDC’s Train-the-Trainer program to strengthen disaster management capacity

A longstanding partnership between the University of Hawai’i’s Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) and the Government of The Bahamas has reached a new milestone in its ongoing journey to increase disaster management capacity within the country and beyond.

Pacific Disaster Center