#naturalhazards

From Reflection to Action – Wishes for the Year Ahead

Asimina Voskaki December 18, 2024

(Image credit: Nanne Tiggelman, Pixabay licence)

When another year comes to an end, it is time for reflection. In the context of natural hazards, it is essential to consider the challenges posed to societies, what went well, what could have been done better, and how we could create a more resilient world. Just before Big Ben strikes 12 times, marking the moment of a new day and year, and the fireworks are set to begin, our blog editors share th ...[Read More]

An epic blockbuster of natural extreme forces: natural hazards through cinematic lenses

Asimina Voskaki November 13, 2024

(image credit: Jensen Art Co, Pixabay licence)

Do you enjoy watching natural hazard movies? Exploring the unfolding of the Earth’s immense power, the level of destruction, human responses and resilience? Can movies offer a glimpse into the chaos and devastation that natural hazard events can bring? Imagine the havoc a storm surge overtopping the Thames Barrier could cause in London. Without a doubt, natural hazard movies raise questions about ...[Read More]

Earth Citizens and Natural Hazards: a few words from the perspective of our environment, the inhabited planet, Earth

Hedieh Soltanpour December 4, 2023

The aerial view of a portion of the Amazon Rainforest in Suriname, South America (photo credit: Hedieh Soltanpour)

In January 2023, I visited the Amazon Forest in Suriname. During my visit, I met indigenous people known as the Saramaccers, a Maroon tribe residing in the heart of the Amazon Forest. I found it fascinating that the Saramaccers consider themselves an integral part of nature. Their motto is ‘If you respect nature, nature will be your friend and stand by you’. Nature extends a helping ha ...[Read More]

Is culture the missing link to disaster risk reduction?

Asimina Voskaki September 11, 2023

The City of Kobe, Chuo Ward (photo credit: Asimina Voskaki)

Sophocles, a great tragic writer of Classical Athens, said that “success is dependent on effort”. When it comes to disaster risk reduction, are we doing enough to develop a culture of resilience and how do cultural factors affect people’s willingness to protect themselves and build an effective disaster reduction and reconstruction mechanism? In 1995 (17/01/1995), Kobe, Osaka (Ja ...[Read More]