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period 1995-2006. In the words of Professor Peter Höppe, Head

of Munich Re’s Geo Risks Research, “No one seriously disputes

climate change any more. In the long term, it will be a factor

which increases the number of severe natural catastrophes.”

A UK Government report highlighted several possible conse-

quences of climate change related to future disasters:

• There will be more examples of extreme weather patterns

• Extreme weather could reduce global gross domestic

product (GDP) by up to 1 per cent

• Floods from rising sea levels could displace up to 100

million people

• Rising sea levels could leave 200 million people perma-

nently displaced

• Melting glaciers will increase flood risks

• Melting glaciers could cause water shortages for 1 in 6 of

the world’s population

• Wildlife will be harmed; at worst up to 40 per cent of

species could become extinct

• Droughts may create tens or even hundreds of millions of

‘climate refugees’

• Crop yields will decline, particularly in Africa.

These examples provide indications that both the nature and

the potential magnitude of disaster impacts are changing,

with far-reaching implications in global terms. These impli-

cations must drive together the interests of policy makers,

national and local government authorities, business leaders,

and professionals or practitioners engaged with disaster risks,

climate, food production, or other natural resource use or

stewardship. There needs to be a thorough reconsideration

of how people in positions of responsibility understand the

disaster risks that they are likely to be exposed to, and a much

greater need to reach out and relate to other associated profes-

sional interests.

It becomes increasingly important too, to identify and relate

to ‘wider area networks’ in spatial, professional and commu-

nications terms. In the inter-connected, globalized world of

the modern era it is not even necessary for a crisis to occur in

people’s immediate environment for them still to be affected.

This recognition needs to become the basis for wider public

awareness, further education and systematic global arrange-

ments in order to link future disaster reduction with the ideal

of more secure and safer societies and to protect the develop-

ment accomplishments and ensure sustainability.

Opportunities for action through the ISDR system

A key development in shifting global awareness towards a

more active engagement in disaster risk reduction was the

United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

(WCDR) held in Kobe, Japan in January 2005, a few weeks

after the Indian Ocean Tsunami tragedy. There, representa-

tives of 168 countries adopted the

Hyogo Framework for Action

2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities

to Disasters

This framework lays out a detailed ten-year plan

to make disaster risk reduction an essential component of

development policies, plans and programmes. The many

subjects related to disaster risk reduction span abilities and

concerns routinely identified within professional disciplines

engaged with various development sectors, environment,

hazard studies and risk management practices, as well as those

of disaster or emergency management, response and recovery

programmes.

As the basis for future accomplishment and an expression

of the key elements of effective disaster risk reduction in prac-

tice, the Hyogo Framework puts forward three strategic goals

which may serve as guiding principles in any efforts to advance

future education for disaster reduction. It calls for the inte-

gration of disaster risk reduction into sustainable development

policies and planning; the need to develop and strengthen insti-

tutions and capacities to build resilience to hazards; and the

systematic incorporation of risk reduction practices into emer-

gency preparedness, response and recovery programmes.

Most importantly, it provides a basis that commits govern-

ments as well as regional, international, and non-governmental

organizations to reduce disaster risks through a range of possi-

ble approaches and activities presented in five priority areas

for action. This framework provides an outline and elaborates

many possible activities to be pursued by various actors that

will necessarily be involved, practitioners of different profes-

sional disciplines in commercial, educational, public or private

entities.

The five priority areas of action of the Hyogo Framework are

cited below, with some suggestions whereby technical practi-

tioners and professionals engaged in weather, water and climate

practice can apply their knowledge and experience in the realm

of disaster risk reduction.

Governance

– to ensure that disaster risk reduction is a

national and local priority with strong institutional basis for

implementation:

• National Meteorological and Hydrological Services

(NMHSs) can provide important leadership and support

to participation in national disaster reduction platforms,

given their long-standing institutional viability, public visi-

bility and relationship with many social, economic and

technical activities

• National climate change planning processes should

become crucial instruments for wider disaster risk reduc-

tion commitments

• The trans-national aspects of weather, water and climate

combined with extensive established and continuous

international communications provides an existing

network for disaster risk communications, and as may be

required, mobilization related to disaster risks with neigh-

bouring countries

• NMHSs should develop closer and interactive relation-

ships with various other sectors involved in DRR for

continuous exchange of information and development

at local and national levels.

Risk identification

– to identify, assess and monitor disaster

risks and enhance early warning:

• The wealth of accumulated national historical data and

analytical abilities existing within NMHSs provides a firm

foundation to develop national or local hazard and disas-

ter databases, essential for disaster risk assessments

• Specialized technical centres can provide institutional

focus for disaster risk monitoring, analysis and commu-

nications for routine economic and commercial

endeavours as well as early warning activities at time of

specific threat

• Hazard identification, technical analysis and monitoring

are inherent to effective early warning of potential disas-

ter circumstances