New Delhi.Sep 1, : After the summer of extreme temperatures all over the world, the latest UN University report looks at how the best solutions can lower the chance of these risks turning into massive catastrophes or in some cases , completely eliminate them completely.As the pace of climate change accelerates and its effects are becoming more evident, the pressures of mitigation of disaster risks in the near future will only get bigger and amplified by the effects of loss of biodiversity and nature.
Solutions are already being implemented across the world to mitigate the risks, but interconnectivity is not yet at the center of solutions’ design and implementation.
“Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2021-2022” produced by the United Nations University — Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) examined 10 disasters across the globe, selected as representative of an overall issue, in order to pinpoint the common the causes and drivers of catastrophes.The study developed with eight solutions that can help to reduce or prevent a variety of disaster-related hazards.
The principles are: Let nature do the work (coexist with natural processes) • Innovate (using fresh ideas) • Work with others (enhancing collaboration) Secure the security of our lives (establish protections in order to safeguard people) Consume responsibly (modify our habits of consumption) Improve the governance (increasing the capacity of institutions) and plan for the possibility of risks (being mindful of risk in creating and constructing infrastructure) and boost the early warning system (enhancing our ability to identify and share risks).
In the last year alone, natural disasters resulted in the loss of approximately 10,000 lives and more than $280 billion in damages across the globe.
“The positive side is that as disasters are interconnected and the solutions are as well,” stated Jack O’Connor the Senior Scientist at UNU-EHS and the Lead author of the Interconnected Disaster Risks report.
“One kind of solution could help to reduce or prevent a variety of various risks to disasters Through our research, we were able to find solutions that could prevent or significantly reduce the impact of natural disasters, helping us save lives and prevent expensive damages.”
The report was launched just two months before the start of the UN Climate Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt The report shows that by looking beneath the surface and finding factors that cause disasters to develop, like urbanization or deforestation and reducing the likelihood of catastrophes before they happen.
For instance, deforestation can lead to soil erosion, and the absence of roots and trees means there’s no defense against rain or wind, and the soil can be easily washed away or blown away.
This provides the perfect conditions for multiple catastrophes like the devastating landslides that occurred during the Haiti earthquake, the emergence of Sandstorms in the southern part of Madagascar and the deposition of reservoirs that store water, which contributes to Taiwan drought, resulting in loss of lives or homes and livelihoods being destroyed.
Utilizing the method “Let nature do the work” we can harness nature’s natural processes to minimize risks; for instance by restoring forests in order to stabilize soils and stop land degradation.
The solutions described in the report are more effective in the event that they are implemented in “solution packs” in which multiple solutions are used to address the various elements of every interconnected catastrophe.
One example of a solution to the imminent disappearance of the vaquita could be to cooperate with local communities of fishermen to co-manage conservation zones and to develop and apply more sustainable methods of fishing and to increase awareness of sustainable consumption, and in enforcing regulations to stop the harmful effects of overfishing and illegal trade.
The solution offered by this package offers a higher chance of solving the issue than the alternative if each of the options are used in separate ways.
“The study on this is evident.
If we don’t invest and scale up intelligent solutions, the catastrophes of 2021/2022 will be just the beginning of the new normal.The responsibility for making changes lies with all segments of society that includes the private sector, the government local and regional decision makers as well as with each of us.Every one of our actions affect everyone of us.In a world that is interconnected we all are one part of the solution.” said Zita Sebesvari the Director Deputy of UNU-EHS and the Lead of the authors of the Interconnected Disaster Risks report.
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