Disasters, Climate Change and Our communities. From North America, Caribbean, Africa. January 2022

Transforming disaster preparedness: The role of tech in responding to climate shocks By Tony Blair Institute for Global Change on Dec 31, 2021 10:27 am The technology and tools exist to make most climate shocks predictable and to strengthen our ability to prepare for and respond to them. However, these remain underutilised by governments and the international community. The case for investing in and supporting governments’ access to the tech solutions that can transform disaster preparedness and response needs to be clearly made.      A roadmap for managing disasters: (3) How climate-vulnerable countries can access tech By Tony Blair Institute for Global Change on Dec 31, 2021 10:26 am This paper focuses on the barriers governments face in accessing technologies that support effective disaster-risk management; with recommendations for incorporating the right technology into disaster-management systems.     Tropical cyclone “maximum intensity” is shifting toward poles By National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Dec 31, 2021 10:25 am Over the past 30 years, the location where tropical cyclones reach maximum intensity has been shifting toward the poles in both the northern and southern hemispheres at a rate of about 35 miles, or one-half a degree of latitude, per decade.     NYCEDC and MOCR release FiDi & seaport climate resilience plan By New York City Economic Development Corporation on Dec 31, 2021 10:25 am The climate resilience plan sets New York City on path to protecting Lower Manhattan from the deadly and costly effects of climate change.     The future is now: artificial intelligence and anticipatory humanitarian action By International Committee of the Red Cross on Dec 31, 2021 10:24 am While artificial intelligence and machine learning have the potential to facilitate faster and better anticipatory humanitarian action, they can pose unforeseen challenges if left unregulated and unchecked.     Zambia’s early action protocols in practice By Netherlands Red Cross on Dec 31, 2021 10:23 am This blog shares insights from the flood light activation in Zambia that took place from February 18th until February 24th 2021.     How Parliamentarians can L.A.B.O.R. for disaster resilience By United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction on Dec 31, 2021 03:30 am While hazards may be natural, disasters are not. The choices we make can either increase or decrease risk. As the planet slowly warms, parliamentarians can help. Indeed, they can L.A.B.O.R. for resilience.     A roadmap for managing disasters: (2) How climate-vulnerable countries can use tech By Tony Blair Institute for Global Change on Dec 30, 2021 07:25 am Climate crises threaten to displace 1.2 billion people by 2050, with the cost of adapting to these new threats estimated to reach the range of $280 billion to $500 billion per year. Vulnerable people and regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, will be disproportionately impacted.     Applying resilience framework to create a drought-resistant community By Manila Times Publishing Corp., the on Dec 30, 2021 05:28 am Drought is a multifaceted issue. Everything related to the changing climate is complex not only in the past but until now.     A roadmap for managing disasters: (1) How climate-vulnerable countries can leverage tech By Tony Blair Institute for Global Change on Dec 30, 2021 04:54 am By 2030, climate crises will push more than 130 million people into poverty, doubling the current figure of those requiring emergency aid to 200 million a year. The cost of adapting to the impacts of climate change will be $140–$300 billion per year by 2030 and $280–$500 billion per year by 2050.     Seven reasons to act early, before a hazard turns into a disaster By Anonymous on Dec 30, 2021 04:16 am Anticipatory action allows humanitarians and affected communities to make informed decisions ahead of a crisis. This means saving time and money; preventing displacement, disease, loss of livelihood; and preserving the dignity of those affected.     Malaysia seeks U.N. climate adaptation funds amid deadly floods By Thomson Reuters Foundation, trust.org on Dec 29, 2021 06:25 am Torrential rain has caused severe flooding that killed at least 48 people in Malaysia, prompting calls for the government to improve its preparedness to extreme weather events.     FEATURE: Run, rebuild, repeat as floods eat away at India's indigenous land By Thomson Reuters Foundation, trust.org on Dec 29, 2021 06:25 am Each time flash floods engulf their villages, the Mising people shift their homes further inland - but after a decade of flooding and riverbank erosion, they are running out of space.     Thailand’s population of nearly 70 million to be protected by new early warning and hazard monitoring technologies By Pacific Disaster Center on Dec 29, 2021 03:52 am The national government of Thailand and Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) have just operationalized a new early warning and hazard monitoring system called ThaiAWARE.     World Bank support for the impacts of Typhoon Rai in the Philippines (“Odette”) By World Bank, the on Dec 29, 2021 03:41 am Typhoon Rai (“Odette”) hit the Philippines a week before Christmas, affecting close to 2 million people in 400 municipalities and cities, causing injuries and deaths, extensive damage to properties, public infrastructure, and the farming sector.     Release of a new journal entitled Disaster Prevention and Resilience By Disaster Prevention Research Institute on Dec 28, 2021 10:51 am The new journal, Disaster Prevention and Resilience (DPR), aims to serve as a widely recognized platform for timely dissemination of research results and new findings.     Climate finance commitments aren't enough. We need new tools to unlock investment. By Deloitte SA on Dec 28, 2021 10:04 am Even if we had the funds to solve the climate crisis, without structural changes to institutions and financial tools, we would likely struggle to spend them effectively.     Updates on Sendai goals 1 and 2 By Avoidable Deaths Network on Dec 28, 2021 10:03 am This paper identifies the number of disasters, disaster deaths and people affected by disasters in the 25 countries of the Caribbean region by reviewing 20-years of data.     School pupils in Osaka are champions for avoidable deaths from tsunamis By Avoidable Deaths Network on Dec 28, 2021 10:02 am In 2020, led by ADN President Dr Hideyuki Shiroshita, 5th-grade pupils from Izumiotsu City published Tsunami DRR newspaper, conducted mock drills for city residents, and developed a tsunami Augmented Reality to indicate tsunami risk.     Flood disaster risk perceptions, sense of place, and preparedness of entrepreneurs By The Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation on Dec 28, 2021 10:01 am Understanding how small to medium-scale businesses in developing countries perceive related risks and relate themselves with their home despite flood risks would help to enhance their preparedness to confront or avoid the impending threats.     A climate-vulnerable country’s experience at a UN summit: ignored, overlooked, then targeted by investment banks By Conversation Media Group, the on Dec 28, 2021 10:01 am While countries most vulnerable to climate change sought urgent emission reductions and compensation, their voices were either ignored explicitly or turned away in favour of potential investment deals with rich countries and aligned institutions.     The need for rainwater collection system By Manila Times Publishing Corp., the on Dec 28, 2021 04:57 am The principle behind rainwater collection is to conserve water. The benefits include meeting ever-increasing demand and reducing flooding. During extremely hot days, collected rainwater serves as an alternative water source.