International Perspectives on Natural Disasters: Occurrence, Mitigation, and Consequences (Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research (21))

Reports of natural disasters fill the media with regularity. Places in the world are affected by natural disaster events every day. Such events include earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, wildfires – the list could go on for considerable length. In the 1990s there was a concentrated focus on natural disaster information and mitigation during the International Decade for Natural Disasters Reduction (IDNDR). The information was technical and provided the basis for major initiatives in building structures designed for seismic safety, slope stability, severe storm warning systems, and global monitoring and reporting. Mitigation, or planning in the event that natural hazards prevalent in a region would suddenly become natural disasters, was a major goal of the decade-long program. During the IDNDR, this book was conceptualized, and planning for its completion began. The editors saw the need for a book that would reach a broad range of readers who were not actively or directly engaged in natural disasters relief or mitigation planning, but who were in decision-making positions that provided an open window for addressing natural disaster issues. Those people were largely elected public officials, teachers, non-governmental organization staff, and staff of faith-based organizations. Those people, for the most part, come to know very well the human and physical characteristics of the place in which they are based. With that local outreach in mind, the editors intended the book to encourage readers to: 1. Front Matter....Pages i-xxi Earthquakes....Pages 11-36 Volcanoes....Pages 37-62 Windstorms....Pages 63-86 Global Flooding....Pages 87-106 Wildfires....Pages 107-130 Mass Movement....Pages 131-146 Drought....Pages 147-162 Natural Hazards in Japan....Pages 163-180 Natural Disasters in China....Pages 181-192 Natural Disasters in Oceania....Pages 193-210 Hazard Mitigation in South and Southeast Asia....Pages 211-230 Natural Disasters in Africa....Pages 231-245 Natural Disasters in Russia....Pages 247-262 Natural Disasters in Europe....Pages 263-280 Natural Disasters and Their Impact in Latin America....Pages 281-302 Disaster Impacts on the Caribbean....Pages 303-322 A Perspective on North American Natural Disasters....Pages 323-340 Teaching and Learning to Live with the Environment....Pages 341-358 Educational Aims and the Question of Priorities....Pages 359-367 The Experience of Natural Disasters: Psychological Perspectives and Understandings....Pages 369-384 Curriculum Innovation for Natural Disaster Reduction: Lessons from the Commonwealth Caribbean....Pages 385-396 Curriculum Adaptation and Disaster Prevention in Colombia....Pages 397-408 Current Curriculum Initiatives and Perspectives in Education for Natural Disaster Reduction in India....Pages 409-416 Disaster Education in New Zealand....Pages 417-428 Natural Disasters and the Role of Women....Pages 429-443 Natural Hazards and Disaster Information on the Internet....Pages 445-456 Capacity Building, Education, and Technical Training....Pages 457-462 Back Matter....Pages 463-480 "The occurrences and distributions of natural disaster events and the responses and mitigation practices associated with them are presented in the book. Experts on natural disaster topics and regional experts on natural disasters provide compelling information. A background in natural disasters and the places where they frequently occur is presented. The chapter authors' discussions address the physical attributes of natural events and secondly, the role of education and training as mitigation strategies. This second perspective examines mitigation practices. Alternatives beyond disaster response and recovery are being practiced in many places. The role of education and training is highlighted. The book is intended to be a welcome addition to working in natural disasters policies, education, training, and improving the public understanding of natural disasters and the mitigation of their effects." "It will be of interest to policy makers, disseminators of natural disasters information, education, professionals, academic libraries, research libraries, and governmental agencies. Also: emergency managers/responders, planners, and university students studying natural disasters in natural or social sciences at the upper division undergraduate or graduate level."--Jacket

natural Disasters, Response, Recovery, And Mitigation Are Important Topics For Policy Makers, Sustainable Development Specialists, Technical Experts And Teachers. The Occurrences And Distributions Of Natural Disaster Events And The Responses And Mitigation Practices Associated With Them Are Presented In The Book. Experts On Natural Disaster Topics And Regional Experts On Natural Disasters Provide Compelling Information. A Rich Background In Natural Disasters And The Places Where They Frequently Occur Is Presented. The Chapter Authors' Discussions Address The Physical Attributes Of Natural Events And Secondly, The Role Of Education And Training As Mitigation Strategies. This Second Perspective Examines Mitigation Practices. Alternatives Beyond Disaster Response And Recovery Are Being Practiced In Many Places. The Role Of Education And Training Is Highlighted. It Is Intended That The Book Be A Welcome Addition To Working In Natural Disasters Policies, Education, Training, And Improving The Public Understanding Of Natural Disasters And The Mitigation Of Their Effects.

this Volume Includes A Cd-rom Containing Electronic Versions, In Full Color If Available, Of The Figures Which Are All Printed In Black-and-white In The Book.

Accompanying CD-ROM contains ... "electronic versions, in full color if available, of the figures which are all printed in black-and-white in the book."--Page 4 of cover. More detailed listing of the contents of the CD-ROM on p. [467]-478 The chapters in this book were prepared by scientists who have researched and written about natural hazards and disasters for much of their careers.