Disaster risk reduction and sustainable development for small island developing states
James M Shultz1, Madeline A Cohen2, Sabrina Hermosilla3
1Center for Disaster & Extreme Event Preparedness (DEEP Center), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, FL, USA.
Disaster Health
|February 24, 2017
Summary
Small island developing states (SIDS) face unique sustainable development challenges due to their geography and isolation. These vulnerable nations are disproportionately impacted by climate change, sea level rise, and natural disasters.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Sustainable Development Studies
- Disaster Risk Reduction
Background:
- Small island developing states (SIDS) are a distinct group of 52 nations.
- These countries face unique sustainable development obstacles due to their geography, small size, and isolation.
- SIDS are particularly susceptible to environmental risks and disasters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the disproportionate challenges faced by SIDS in sustainable development.
- To underscore the elevated risks SIDS encounter concerning climate change and natural disasters.
- To use case examples of cyclones in Fiji and Vanuatu to illustrate SIDS vulnerabilities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of geographical and developmental challenges specific to SIDS.
- Review of disaster incidence and consequences in SIDS.
- Case study analysis of Cyclone Winston (Fiji, 2016) and Cyclone Pam (Vanuatu, 2015).
Main Results:
- SIDS experience significant sustainable development challenges stemming from their inherent characteristics.
- These nations face heightened risks from climate change impacts like sea level rise.
- SIDS are highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, as well as marine spills.
Conclusions:
- The unique vulnerabilities of SIDS necessitate tailored approaches to sustainable development and disaster risk management.
- Climate change and natural disasters pose severe threats to the resilience and progress of SIDS.
- International support and targeted strategies are crucial for enhancing the adaptive capacity and sustainable development of SIDS.
Keywords:
El Niñoclimate changedisaster complexitydisaster risk reductionrisk communicationsmall island developing statestropical cycloneMore Related Videos
05:58Author Spotlight: Advancing Coral Culture - Creating a Semi-Quantitatively Controlled Microenvironment System to Counter Current Limitations
Published on: July 21, 2023
2.7K
04:41A Simple Planting Technique for Re-establishing Trees Where Frequent Inundation Occurs
Published on: January 26, 2018
6.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:43Sustainable Development
15.3K
As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.
15.3K
01:29Applications of GIS: Disaster Management and Emergency Response
606
Geographic Information System (GIS) technology is essential for risk identification, action prioritization, and resource optimization in critical situations like flooding and earthquakes. By integrating spatial and demographic data, GIS provides a comprehensive framework for emergency response.GIS integrates data layers, like rainfall intensity, topography, elevation profiles, and river levels, to model high-risk flood zones. These layers assess areas susceptible to flooding based on their...
606
01:17Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
346
Flood risk assessment involves careful planning and analysis to ensure the safety of communities near water retention structures. Capacity contours are a vital tool in this process, as they illustrate the potential spread of water at specific levels in a given area. In the context of building a bund across a small valley, these contours play a critical role in evaluating the safety of nearby residential areas.In this example, the bund is intended to store stormwater in the valley. The engineers...
346
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
4.2K
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
4.2K
01:22Design Consideration
614
Designing a structure involves a series of considerations, primarily the material's ultimate strength, calculated through tests that measure changes under increased force until the material reaches its breaking point or limit. The ultimate load, where the material breaks, is divided by its original cross-sectional area, resulting in the ultimate normal stress or strength. The ultimate shearing stress is another significant factor taken into account.
The factor of safety is another key...
The factor of safety is another key...
614
01:25Distribution Reliability and Automation
547
Distribution reliability in electrical power systems is critical for ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to consumers at minimal cost. According to IEEE Standard Terms, reliability is the probability that a device will function without failure over a specified time period or amount of usage. For electric power distribution, this translates to maintaining continuous power supply and addressing customer concerns over power outages. Several indices, as defined by IEEE Standard 1366-2012, are...
547