Traditional knowledge system in disaster risk reduction: Exploration, acknowledgement and proposition

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sociology
• Indigenous Studies

Background:

• Despite 60 years of technological advancements in disaster risk reduction (DRR), including satellite imagery and modern engineering, their success in mitigating disaster impacts remains limited.
• Modern scientific approaches often adopt a reductionist, temporal perspective, simplifying complex environmental systems and leading to resource depletion and degradation, thus increasing disaster vulnerability.
• This limited success highlights a gap where technocratic science needs to embrace a more holistic, relational approach to environmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the valuable components of traditional knowledge systems for disaster risk reduction (DRR).
• To investigate how traditional wisdom can be integrated and collaborate with scientific research and management for comprehensive DRR.
• To identify effective ingredients of traditional knowledge and propose pathways for synergy between traditional and scientific knowledge systems.

Main Methods:

• A theoretical desk study approach was employed.
• Relevant studies were identified and analyzed, drawing from empirical literature, grey literature, archives, and historical accounts.
• This involved highlighting traditional knowledge practices in DRR and examining their potential for integration.

Main Results:

• Traditional knowledge systems offer a relational approach, interconnecting humans, non-humans, and nature for sustainable development and DRR.
• These systems possess extensive undocumented observational data on natural phenomena, crucial for adaptation measures in the face of climate change.
• The study identified good practices of traditional knowledge in DRR and potential collaborative avenues between traditional and scientific systems.

Conclusions:

• A holistic approach, integrating both scientific and traditional knowledge, is essential for comprehensive disaster risk reduction.
• Traditional knowledge provides unique insights and practices that can complement modern scientific methods for enhanced DRR.
• Collaboration between these two knowledge systems can lead to more effective, sustainable, and resilient adaptation strategies for climate-induced disasters.