World Disasters Report 2020: COME HEAT Or HIGH WATER


Book Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how vulnerable the world was to a truly global catastrophe. But another, bigger, catastrophe has been building for many decades, and humanity is still lagging far behind in efforts to help communities and countries to adapt to the realities of it.The impacts of global warming are already killing people and devastating lives and livelihoods every year, and they will only get worse without immediate and determined action. The frequency and intensity of climatological events are increasing substantially, with more category 4 and 5 storms, more heatwaves breaking temperature records and more heavy rains, among many other extremes. Loss of natural resources, food insecurity, direct and indirect health impacts, and displacement are likewise on the rise. Many communities are being affected by concurrent and consecutive disasters, leaving them with little time to recover before the next shock arrives.But it doesn't have to be like this. The 2020 World Disasters Report argues that there has never been a better time to face up to climate disasters, because climate change won't wait for COVID-19 to be brought under control.







Exploring Ethical Problems in Today’s Technological World


Book Description

The pervasiveness of technology today has brought with it a bevy of ethical questions, many of which are difficult to answer. Average consumers place themselves at risk financially, professionally, and personally by everyday activities executed on computers and smartphones, and therein lies the responsibility of technologists and decision-makers to devise logical and ethical solutions. Exploring Ethical Problems in Today’s Technological World focuses on ethical dilemmas created by today's ever-changing technologies and how these issues have affected individuals, companies, and society. The book further explores key areas such as policies, abuses, consequences, and responsibilities of different technologies and their users. Covering topics such as hackers, smart homes, privacy, and social networking, this reference work is ideal for ethicists, computer scientists, policymakers, industry professionals, researchers, academicians, practitioners, and students studying ethics, law, security, human-computer interaction, and computer science.




Beyond Global Food Supply Chains


Book Description

This open access book takes the upheaval of the global COVID-19 pandemic as a springboard from which to interrogate a larger set of structural, environmental and political fault lines running through the global food system. In a context in which disruptions to the production, distribution, and consumption of food are figured as exceptions to the smooth, just-in-time efficiencies of global supply chains, these essays reveal the global food system as one that is inherently disruptive of human lives and flourishing, and of relationships between people, places, and environments. The pandemic thus represents a particular, acute moment of disruption, offering a lens on a deeper, longer set of systemic processes, and shining new light on transformational possibilities.




Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development


Book Description

This, conference proceeding, book contains invited articles and contributory papers from the 2nd International Symposium on Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development, organized by Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, on June 24–25, 2021. It includes contributions from researchers and practitioners working in the area of disaster mitigation and risk reduction for sustainable communities. The articles cover the topics such as on tools and techniques of hazard identifications, risk assessment, engineering innovations for hazard mitigation, and safe design of structures to the vulnerable systems. The content caters to research scholars, students, industry professionals, data analytics companies, re-insurance companies, government bodies and policymakers, who work in the field of hazard modeling and disaster management.







Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health


Book Description

Since its first publication in 1933, Clay’s Handbook of Environmental Health (under its different names) has provided a definitive guide for the environmental health practitioner (EHP), and an essential reference for the consultant and student. This 22nd edition continues with its more recent successful structure, reviewing the core principles, techniques, competencies and skills required of an EHP, and then outlining the specialist subjects without getting bogged down in a legalistic approach, seeking to broaden the content for a more global audience. This new edition seeks to educate the EHP on the public health impacts of global heating and the climate emergency and also reflects the COVID-19 pandemic, as might be expected. Although seeking to have global appeal, the impact of the UK leaving the EU is also addressed. The book examines environmental health in different settings, including in the military, working in both conflict and natural disaster settings, and environmental health at sea and airports. In line with previous editions, case studies are used to illustrate how EH problems have been resolved. This new edition includes guidance on key issues in public and environmental health including air pollution, contaminated land, housing and health, noise, water, food safety, pests and vector control, chemicals in the environment and radiation, as well as sustainability and public health and humanitarian crises. This handbook aims to give a basic understanding of the philosophical basis of environmental health, as well as the required technical aspects and an understanding of environmental health in different settings. All chapters have sections on further reading and sources of information. Clay’s Handbook is essential reading for all practitioners, students and researchers in environmental and public health wherever they are working.




The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021


Book Description

In recent years, several major drivers have put the world off track to ending world hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. The challenges have grown with the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures. This report presents the first global assessment of food insecurity and malnutrition for 2020 and offers some indication of what hunger might look like by 2030 in a scenario further complicated by the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes new estimates of the cost and affordability of healthy diets, which provide an important link between the food security and nutrition indicators and the analysis of their trends. Altogether, the report highlights the need for a deeper reflection on how to better address the global food security and nutrition situation. To understand how hunger and malnutrition have reached these critical levels, this report draws on the analyses of the past four editions, which have produced a vast, evidence-based body of knowledge of the major drivers behind the recent changes in food security and nutrition. These drivers, which are increasing in frequency and intensity, include conflicts, climate variability and extremes, and economic slowdowns and downturns – all exacerbated by the underlying causes of poverty and very high and persistent levels of inequality. In addition, millions of people around the world suffer from food insecurity and different forms of malnutrition because they cannot afford the cost of healthy diets. From a synthesized understanding of this knowledge, updates and additional analyses are generated to create a holistic view of the combined effects of these drivers, both on each other and on food systems, and how they negatively affect food security and nutrition around the world. In turn, the evidence informs an in-depth look at how to move from silo solutions to integrated food systems solutions. In this regard, the report proposes transformative pathways that specifically address the challenges posed by the major drivers, also highlighting the types of policy and investment portfolios required to transform food systems for food security, improved nutrition, and affordable healthy diets for all. The report observes that, while the pandemic has caused major setbacks, there is much to be learned from the vulnerabilities and inequalities it has laid bare. If taken to heart, these new insights and wisdom can help get the world back on track towards the goal of ending hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in all its forms.




Epidemic Risk Reduction


Book Description

Epidemic Risk Reduction: A Civil Protection Approach focuses on disaster risk reduction (DRR) relative to epidemic outbreak and the concept of civil protection and public safety. First and foremost, the primary role of public officials and agencies—including police, military, public health, and emergency management and response professionals—must be the safety and security the citizens. The book provides practical solutions and policies that can be enacted and instituted to protect human life and health as well as property and environment in the scope of human survival, providing essential services, and providing for peoples’ basic needs. The author examines epidemics as disasters, similar to natural hazards or other large-scale events that require planning, preparedness, mitigation, and response. The approach is unique in looking at tools for risk assessment and strategic planning formulated around civil protection measures as a means to reduce and mitigate risk. Often, preparedness and response planning is siloed with an epidemiological and medical response at the forefront. While absolutely important and essential, doing so—in conjunction with coordinated government efforts to provide necessary supplies, security, and logistics—is equally critical to meet the public’s needs and provide a coordinated response. Key Features: Examines the phenomenon of epidemics and hazards, explaining that they are often multi-hazard Provides public leaders with various considerations to meet the challenge of managing the complexity of various threat vectors Details universal terms and definitions—e.g., disaster, risk, and epidemic—using diagrams, illustrations, and analogies to clearly explain critical concepts Presents epidemic risk reduction strategies—based on the lead role that disaster, emergency management, and state/civil authorities need to play—focusing primarily on individual health and security Epidemic Risk Reduction: A Civil Protection Approach establishes a common language which will help in overcoming barriers for more coordinated efforts focused on epidemic management and operational response. While drawing on current research, and based on theoretical knowledge, the book also provides practical examples from around the world that look at real-world response efforts. This includes recommendations on how politicians, crisis response personnel, emergency planners, and public administrators and health professionals can better plan and prepare for future epidemics.




Science for a Green New Deal


Book Description

"This book presents the scientific underpinnings needed to achieve the ambitious environmental, economic, and social justice goals of a green new deal. It describes a convergence of the natural sciences, economics, social sciences, and the engagement of diverse groups of stakeholders to seek knowledge, policies, and solutions leading to a more sustainable, prosperous, and just future"--