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By enabling high-speed simulations, real-time data assimilation, geospatial analysis, visualization, machine learning and infrastructure resiliency, supercomputers have an outsized, real-world impact when natural hazards occur.
The danger presented by Hurricane Irma is not from the natural hazard in itself, but rather from the quality of the built environment which lies in its path. It highlights how poverty is a key driver of disaster risk and cause of mortality as it is those living in marginalised areas who are most vulnerable to disaster impacts.
Museums in and around Houston were prepared for Tropical Storm Harvey and the floodings. Except for various disaster resilient upgrades to the structures since previous storms and floods, temporary approaches such as water barriers and sandbags, as well as vaults for safer storage, were used for protection.
City engineers are working with the Dutch government on a long-term plan to let the water into New Orleans, drawing inspiration from Amsterdam. New Orleans has already invested in green infrastructure and has ambitions to include permeable ground materials and Dutch-style canals in the future.
The extent of the Hurricane Harvey disaster came as no surprise to experts. Despite issued warnings about the estimated severity, the public reception of the warnings was not serious enough. Experts believe this is rooted in tropical storms not normally being associated with heavy rain and the public perceptions of certain risk communication language.
A new climate change study finds that weather-related disasters could affect two-thirds of the European population annually by 2100. This research underlines the need for increased mitigation, adaptation and risk reduction efforts, and highlights the need to better understand the impact of disasters in areas of the world most likely to suffer the worst consequences.
It is recognized by insurance agencies that keeping ecosystems healthy prevents climate disasters, saves money, and improves resiliency more efficiently compared to expensive infrastructure. Urban concrete and asphalt prevents water from infiltrating into the ground, whereas rain gardens and permeable pavements absorbs the rain, and reduces the risk of flooding.
Officials from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) call to shift the focus of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction from “disaster” to “risk”. If the hazards cannot be altered, then the risk must be managed.
Voluntary Commitments
The organization has no registered commitments.
The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their work on DRR. The SFVC online platform is a useful toolto know who is doing what and where for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which could foster potential collaboration among stakeholders. All stakeholders (private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc.) working on DRR can submit their commitments and report on their progress and deliverables.