The News and blogs weekly newsletter introduces the latest news and blogs published by PreventionWeb on disaster risk reduction. In the 03/21/2023 edition:

The News and blogs weekly newsletter introduces the latest news and blogs published by PreventionWeb on disaster risk reduction. Visit us on PreventionWeb to see our other newsletters and subscribe. More newsletters

In the 03/21/2023 edition:

Fearmongering about people fleeing disasters is a dangerous and faulty narrative By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 20, 2023 03:29 pm
Research has shown that estimates and predictions of people displaced by environmental changes lack any empirical basis. Forecasting is challenging because many developing countries do not have the statistical capacity.

Coastal crisis: It’s a race against time, and tide, for those living in Odisha’s coastal villages; here’s why By Down To Earth on Mar 20, 2023 12:12 pm
Odisha is fast losing its shoreline to rising sea levels. Its adaptation plans must not only be immediate but also foolproof

A quake of unthinkable proportions is due in Istanbul. Residents ask if the city is prepared By Cable News Network on Mar 20, 2023 11:48 am
As part of efforts to prepare for a major earthquake, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has launched what officials describe as the city’s “roadmap for disaster preparedness.”

Indonesia banks on dams to tackle water crisis - but at what cost? By Context on Mar 20, 2023 11:39 am
Indonesia's push to build 57 new dams by 2024 could boost water storage and help with floods, but is causing new problems as well.

New study finds people with schizophrenia were at higher risk during B.C.’s 2021 heat dome By BC Center for disease control on Mar 20, 2023 11:35 am
New study published in GeoHealth looks at health risks for people with chronic conditions during extreme heat events.

New study finds that 43 000 “excess deaths” may have occurred in 2022 from the drought in Somalia By World Meteorological Organization on Mar 20, 2023 11:24 am
A new report released today by the Federal Ministry of Health & Human Services, WHO and UNICEF suggests that an estimated 43 000 excess deaths may have occurred in 2022 in Somalia due to the deepening drought.

Australia pledges AUD 30 million support for weather ready Pacific By Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme on Mar 20, 2023 09:43 am
The Pacific islands have applauded an announcement from the Government of Australia, pledging support for a solution to weather-related extreme events posed by climate change in the Pacific through the Weather Ready Pacific Decadal Programme of Investment

Cyclone Freddy points to urgent need for climate-smart solutions in Malawi By The New Humanitarian on Mar 17, 2023 02:53 pm
Climate change means more storms, droughts, and unpredictable weather – how can farmers prepare better?

FEMA Addresses Flood Risks in 25 Municipalities By Federal Emergency Management Agency on Mar 17, 2023 02:45 pm
According to the Puerto Rico Planning Board, floods on the island represent billions in losses and put at risk some 200,000 residences located in flood-prone areas.

Is the Western drought finally ending? That depends on where you look By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 17, 2023 02:38 pm
After three years of extreme drought, the Western U.S. is finally getting a break. Mountain ranges are covered in deep snow, and water reservoirs in many areas are filling up following a series of atmospheric rivers that brought record rain.

Cyclone Freddy was the most energetic storm on record. Is it a harbinger of things to come? By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 17, 2023 02:27 pm
Freddy was the most energetic storm on record. It also went through the most cycles of weakening and re-intensifying, and may have been the longest-lived cyclone in history.

As bird flu continues to spread in the US and worldwide, what’s the risk that it could start a human pandemic? 4 questions answered By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 17, 2023 01:30 pm
An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza that started in 2021 has become the largest bird flu outbreak in history, both in the U.S. and worldwide.

Counties urged to scale up and adopt pest control technologies By Kenya news on Mar 17, 2023 12:31 pm
Experts want Counties to scale up and accelerate the adoption of recently developed disease and pest control technologies to realize better yields this season.

New research informs dredging efforts at Columbia River mouth, addressing erosion By United States Geological Survey on Mar 17, 2023 12:02 pm
A new study examines sediment transport adjacent to the Columbia River Mouth incorporates both physical observations and modeling techniques to track how strategically placed dredged material can resupply sand to nearby beaches, thereby addressing erosion

Private investment for climate change adaptation – difficult to finance or difficult to see the finance? By London School of Economics and Political Science, the on Mar 17, 2023 11:44 am
Finance for adaptation to climate change needs to be scaled up. Developing countries rightly stress the importance of more financial support for climate adaptation so that they can continue to achieve economic development amidst increasing climate impacts

Shrinking glaciers upend lives across South America By United Nations Environment Programme on Mar 17, 2023 11:37 am
For five generations, Héctor Basilio Choquehuanca Poma and his family have lived on the slopes of the imposing Tuni Condoriri mountains in the Bolivian Andes.

NOAA's spring outlook points to a risky season By National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Mar 17, 2023 10:54 am
For many of us, spring can’t come soon enough–birds singing, flowers blooming, and longer days are ahead. However, getting ready for spring means thinking about what the risk of flooding might be in our region.

Government of Canada and City of Vancouver invest in Vancouver’s resilience to climate change By Government of Canada on Mar 17, 2023 10:49 am
Canada announced a joint investment of more than $36.2 million towards the City of Vancouver’s Rain City Strategy, which outlines a series of actions to improve the city’s water quality, increase resilience to climate change, and enhance ecosystems.

Why is Argentina facing a heatwave like no other in its history? By Firstpost on Mar 17, 2023 10:46 am
The early days of March have seen record-breaking temperatures in parts of Argentina. Experts say that while the La Nina weather phenomenon has driven the heatwave, climate change may be making matters worse

The role of climate change in extreme rainfall associated with Cyclone Gabrielle over Aotearoa New Zealand’s East Coast By World Weather Attribution on Mar 17, 2023 10:42 am
From the 12th to the 14th of February 2023, northern and eastern regions of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Ika-a-Māui (North Island) were hit by extremely heavy rainfall associated with the passage of ex-tropical cyclone Gabrielle.

A warmer, wetter climate challenges a Chinese eco-farm By China Dialogue on Mar 16, 2023 04:59 pm
As theories circulate that climate change could benefit some farmers, one in China’s Northwest faces harsher realities

Boosting the capacity of least developed countries to implement national adaptation plans By United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on Mar 16, 2023 04:42 pm
The UN Climate Change Secretariat is boosting the capacity of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change, which include ever more severe and more frequent floods, storms and droughts.

How a map helps reduce risk in Madagascar By Medair on Mar 16, 2023 12:35 pm
To help community become more resilient to natural hazards, Medair expanded its existing Early Warning System project to this region in 2020, and have been working with 184 communities.

3 years of COVID, 3 myths to debunk By United Nations Development Programme - Headquarters on Mar 16, 2023 12:02 pm
This month marks three years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Three years on, the world is still struggling to respond to this ongoing threat and other connected crises.

Heat waves in India set to intensify, says climate scientist By PhysOrg, Omicron Technology Ltd on Mar 16, 2023 09:05 am
After its hottest February since 1901, the India Meteorological Department has issued an early heat wave warning and forecasts for higher-than-normal temperatures between March and May.

How rising temperatures are intensifying California’s atmospheric rivers By Grist Magazine on Mar 16, 2023 08:58 am
As storms get warmer and wetter, the state's flood control system is struggling to keep up.

Why it's so hard to be prepared for disasters By Columbia Climate School on Mar 16, 2023 08:55 am
Jeffrey Schlegelmilch is the director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Climate School. There, he works to understand and improve the nation’s capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

We’re building harder, hotter cities: it’s vital we protect and grow urban green spaces – new report By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 16, 2023 08:46 am
Recent extreme weather events have provided a foretaste of how supercharged storms might threaten our future. So the release today of a new report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) is very good timing.

How to use free satellite data to monitor disasters and environmental changes By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 15, 2023 04:52 pm
If you want to track changes in the Amazon rainforest, see the full expanse of a hurricane or figure out where people need help after a disaster, it’s much easier to do with the view from a satellite orbiting a few hundred miles above Earth.

Heat wave: risks and consequences that football players assume for playing in temperatures of 40 degrees By News Rebeat on Mar 15, 2023 04:43 pm
Unbearable. so is this extremely hot ride that has far surpassed the weather records of the last 62 years in many regions of the country. Thermal sensations exceeding 40 degrees overwhelm most of the provinces of Argentina.

Have your say: older people asked to share how extreme weather affects them in major new study By Heriot-Watt University on Mar 15, 2023 04:22 pm
The over 60s are being asked to reflect on how extreme weather affects their health and wellbeing as part of a major new research project.

What you need to know about how CCDRs estimate climate finance needs By World Bank, the on Mar 15, 2023 01:12 pm
How much climate finance will be needed for each country to transition to a resilient and low-carbon development pathway? That is one of the key questions CCDRs aim to answer.

Cultural heritage is an essential resource for climate change science, reports say By Mongabay on Mar 15, 2023 12:47 pm
Four reports by the International Co-Sponsored Meeting on Culture, Heritage and Climate Change highlight that human cultural heritage has a wealth of knowledge to contribute to grapple with climate change.

Global Business Coalition Members call for global action to mitigate the effects of disasters By U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Mar 15, 2023 12:35 pm
The Global Business Coalition calls on all governments to use G20 under India’s presidency to implement the best available risk reduction, mitigation and response policies and direct much-needed resources to improve disaster resilience.

Should we stop using the term 'natural disaster'? By Columbia Climate School on Mar 15, 2023 11:54 am
The term ‘natural disaster’ has long been used by scientists, media, and politicians to discuss these events. However, confounding factors such as climate change and exacerbated social inequality have sparked a reconsideration of the term.

Climate change is supercharging floods and droughts, new research shows By Grist Magazine on Mar 15, 2023 11:32 am
Rising global temperatures drove the shift in weather extremes, analysis of satellite data found.

Early warning technologies can be game-changers for climate adaptation By United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on Mar 15, 2023 11:22 am
Early Warning Systems are a proven and feasible means of helping people to adapt to climate change. Such systems can provide up to a tenfold return on investment by saving lives and livelihoods in the case of extreme weather events

Why rain on snow in the California mountains worries scientists By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 15, 2023 11:21 am
Professor Keith Musselman, who studies water and climate change at the University of Colorado’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, explained the complex risks rain on snow creates and how they might change in a warming climate.

Floods, cyclones, thunderstorms: is climate change to blame for New Zealand’s summer of extreme weather? By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 15, 2023 11:03 am
The final months of New Zealand’s summer carried a massive sting, bringing “unprecedented” rainfalls several times over, from widespread flooding in Auckland at the end of January to ex-tropical Cyclone Gabrielle

New model provides improved air-quality predictions in fire-prone areas By Pennsylvania State University on Mar 15, 2023 10:53 am
Globally, wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive, generating a significant amount of smoke that can be transported thousands of miles, driving the need for more accurate air pollution forecasts.

After the fires on Rapa Nui (Chile) UNESCO launches an evaluation and management plan for the island's World Heritage site By United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - Headquarters on Mar 15, 2023 10:20 am
UNESCO initiated in March 2023 the response actions to fires on the island of Rapa Nui, Chile, which will include a detailed damage estimation; the development of a comprehensive preparation, coordination and management plan for the World Heritage site

Health experts agree resilience action agenda By United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Office in Incheon for Northeast Asia and Global Education and Training Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction on Mar 15, 2023 06:06 am
Frontline health and disaster management professionals and academics from 8 countries have made a series of recommendations to strengthen public health systems in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and other potential health emergencies

Before disastrous flood, officials knew Pajaro River levee could fail but took no action By Los Angeles Times on Mar 14, 2023 04:04 pm
Officials had known for decades that the Pajaro River levee that failed this weekend was vulnerable but never prioritized repairs in part because they believed it did not make financial sense.

Adapting social protection systems to build disaster and climate resilience for all By World Bank, the on Mar 14, 2023 03:58 pm
Gender dynamics impact the way people are affected by disasters, including their capacity to withstand and recover from them.

Brno aims for water balance in era of climate change By United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Europe & Central Asia on Mar 14, 2023 03:48 pm
The city of Brno is investing in a better understanding of its climate future so that it can better protect its citizens and their livelihoods. Drought and water security issues are increasingly common in the South Moravian Region.

Contesting against sea level rise in Singapore By Water Science Policy on Mar 14, 2023 03:35 pm
Many cities have urbanized next to the sea and have even expanded into the sea through extensive land reclamation. Due to climate change the coastal storms are becoming intensified and sea levels are rising. Governments have to face this challenge.

Crop yields reduced by climate extremes, finds study By PhysOrg, Omicron Technology Ltd on Mar 14, 2023 03:27 pm
From 1980 to 2009, farmers faced an ever-increasing chance of having to deal with a growing season that was too hot and dry for their crops, according to a new study led by researchers at Aalto University.

Droughts bring disease: here are 4 ways they do it By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 14, 2023 03:27 pm
Climate change projections show changes in temperature and rainfall extremes, especially without emissions reductions. Some parts of Africa are projected to become wetter and others drier.

China’s domestically developed terahertz testing system successfully withstands extreme Antarctic weather in first trial By Global Times, the on Mar 14, 2023 03:18 pm
China's domestically developed terahertz testing system successfully withstands extreme Antarctic weather in first trial, Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences told the Global Times on Monday.

Turkey earthquake: UK team to assess building damage By British Broadcasting Corporation on Mar 14, 2023 12:03 pm
Structural and civil engineers from the UK have travelled to Turkey to help to investigate the damage caused by last month's powerful earthquake.

International law doesn’t protect people fleeing environmental disaster – here’s how it could By Conversation Media Group, the on Mar 14, 2023 11:51 am
Researchers have tried for decades to find a relevant legal status for people forced to flee their homes as a result of disasters. But climate migrants are sometimes forgotten among the various flows of people seeking asylum.

Climate resilience: Is the UK ready for the impacts of global warming? By Carbon Brief on Mar 14, 2023 11:29 am
Every area of UK society will feel the effects of climate change and, as global emissions continue to rise, preparing for life in a warmer world is crucial.

Risk of death for people with dementia increases after a hurricane exposure By University of Michigan on Mar 14, 2023 11:26 am
The risk of death rises among older adults with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the months following exposure to a hurricane, a new University of Michigan study shows.

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