An Effectual Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Impact of Disasters - Essay Example

16th November Planning of Natural Hazards and Natural Disasters Introduction The world experiences a variety of natural hazards and disasters every year. These disasters impact negatively on the people, infrastructure, property as well as the wider environment. For instance, the United States alone recorded losses of approximately 1 billion dollars weekly as a result of hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tornadoes. Regardless of the location of the natural disaster in the world, it is of paramount importance to device means of planning for the natural hazards. Planning systems and techniques ought to be improved considering that the magnitude of some hazards can be altered by the effects of climate change. Planning for natural hazards is of vital essence as it can decrease the potential for damage, injury or even loss of life when a disaster occurs. Sufficient information has been put in circulation regarding preparing for natural disasters. Economists around the world have studied their long term repercussions while NGOs and governments have contemplated various mitigation practices. Scientists have evaluated the ability to improve warning systems; while planners and engineers have attempted to conquer the weaknesses of buildings and infrastructure. All these measures have been put in place with an aim of planning for disasters. However, the process of mitigating natural disasters is much more complex. Most people mainly associate natural hazards and disasters with natural causes whose occurrence cannot be prevented. However, environmental degradation can also trigger or even worsen some disasters. Most of these environmental challenges are associated with the outward spread of urban development. For instance, deforestation results in an increase in surface run-off concentration causing flooding as well as destabilized slopes which results devastating landslides. Empirical evidence advocates that countries in which environmental degradation is most severe suffer most from natural disasters. For example, the Nepal floods that occurred in 1993 were mainly as a result of deforestation and change in catchment drainage patterns (Shaw et al 32). Therefore, conservation of the environment can help mitigate the occurrence of these natural disasters. Planning and preparedness is of vital essence for both management and mitigation of natural hazards and disasters. The following report, based on the book The Environmental Planning Handbook for sustainable communities and regions by Tom Daniels and Katherine Daniels, presents an analysis of how natural hazards and disasters can be prevented, through environmental protection at the local level. According to T. Daniels and K. Daniels (3), the issue of environmental protection is global and depends largely on timely and effective action at the local level. This report explains complex environmental issues and offers guidance to local governments on how to incorporate comprehensive planning into sustainable environmental quality in the local community. Once these guidelines are followed, they will help conserve the environment in the local community and in return help mitigate the occurrence and magnitude of natural hazards and disasters. According to T. Daniels and K. Daniels (11), planning as the process of making choices and organizing resources to achieve the set goals and objectives. Through planning, communities can minimize or even avoid water and air pollution, conversion of both farms and forestlands, loss of wild life as well as the overall degradation of the environment. Comprehensive planning refers to preparation of documents aimed at directing the current and future economic and physical development of a local government. Comprehensive planning is a continuous process and sets forth how a community will look, function and grow over a period of between 10 and 20 years (T. Daniels and K. Daniels 12). Environmental Hazards and Disasters The world is fast becoming more susceptible to natural hazards and disasters due to the increased population and inadequate planning of urban growth. In the past decades, there has been a dramatic and uncontrolled rise in the number of people living in urban cities within tropical cyclone and earthquake zones (Shaw et al 13). There has also been a rapid expansion in infrastructure neglecting safe building standards. As a result of poor planning decisions, hazardous facilities such as chemical factories and nuclear plants have been established in densely populated areas that are also prone to earthquakes. As discussed earlier, countries where environmental degradation is most severe suffer most from natural disasters. Examples are the Nepal floods in 1993 and the Asia floods and landslide disasters in 1998. Environmental degradation is inclusive of soil erosion, deforestation, over grazing and over cultivation. The effects of environmental degradation are also felt outside the country boarders. For instance, increased soil erosion in the Nepal hills has resulted in heavy siltation of river beds in Bangladesh and India. This is raising the levels of the river beds causing frequent flooding. Environmental degradation also triggers crisis such as drought and cyclones. Droughts mainly occur as a result of overgrazing and over-cultivation, which weaken the land. The occurrence of droughts is mostly associated with arid and semi arid areas. For example, 33% of the arable land in India is prone to droughts. Other drought prone areas in South Asia include Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. On the other hand, cyclones generate heavy rainfall causing flooding. Most major natural disasters associated with cyclones have been as a result of tidal storm surges. Examples of devastating storm surges are those that accompanied the 1970 and 1991 tropical cyclones in Bangladesh. In some countries, the effects of tropical cyclones have been experienced in the form of very strong winds or heavy rainfall. For instance, the tropical cyclones that occurred in Pakistan in 1993 led to the death of over 600 people and destroyed hundreds of fishing boats. In 1999, a cyclone devastated the districts of Thata and Badin and destroyed over 50,000 houses(Singh and Xu 26). In 1999, the most severe cyclone of the century, the super-cyclone of Orissa, occurred leaving a permanent environmental impact on the region’s coastal ecology. The super-cyclone was aided by depletion of the region’s coastal mangrove. Prior to the cyclone, human interface had reduced the numbers of the long stretches of mangrove that thrived on along Orissa’s coastline (Singh and Xu 6). Hectares of mangroves had been cut down to make way for agricultural land. The forests area had also been infiltrated and more trees cut down during construction of the Paradip Port (Singh and Xu 8). This is proof of how degradation of the environment through human activities exposes an area to natural disasters. Prevention of natural Disasters through effective planning T. Daniels and K. Daniels suggest various planning measures that should be undertaken to prepare communities against natural hazards and disasters (257). One of these measures involves the creation of a disaster resistant community. This measure involves undertaking actions that protects businesses and families in a community by reducing the effects of natural disasters. Communities seeking resistance to disasters are encouraged to partner with businesses, private and government citizens, recognize and prioritize the hazard risks in the community, identify resources and actions for mitigation and disseminate planning details using all media means possible. According to T. Daniels and K. Daniels (260), effective hazard mitigation is only achieved through planning. Hazard mitigation is the responsibility of industries, individuals, private businesses as well as the three levels of government, which are state, federal and local government. Creation of regulations at these government levels can be of help in the process of mitigation of natural disasters and hazard. Planning at these levels is discussed in detail in the following section. (a) Federal planning for natural disasters and hazard mitigation The planning process promoted at this level is very vital as it creates a framework for the other levels of government (state and local) for reducing the negative impacts of future natural disasters (T. Daniels and K. Daniels 262). Effective planning at the federal level also helps in giving financial assistance to state and local level governments after a disaster occurs. This helps reduce the time taken by communities in recovering from a natural disaster. An effective plan at this level also coordinates hazard mitigation activities in the state. Additionally, it provides a means for local and regional governments to access up to date risk assessment information (T. Daniels and K. Daniels 267). (b) State planning for natural disasters and hazard mitigation Mitigation plans at the state level play a crucial role in reducing the loss arising from natural hazards and disasters as well as supporting long term resiliency in the communities. It is therefore essential for all states to create mitigation plans. T. Daniels and K. Daniels (271) also suggest that the quality of the state mitigation plans should be evaluated over time and used as a guide to monitor the state development. State hazard mitigation plans have already been put to use in various states around the world. For instance, California has already developed and implemented the 2010 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, a guidance document that provides a comprehensive and up-to-date description of the state’s current hazard analysis, goals, objectives and mitigation strategies. In this mitigation plan, California’s commitment to reduce, prevent and eliminate the potential risks of natural disasters is reflected. (c) Local planning for natural disasters and hazard mitigation According to T. Daniels and K. Daniels (272), communities should make a commitment to the safety of the community so as to be in a position to propose, develop, and effectively implement hazard mitigation strategies. The planning process at this level analyzes the vulnerability of a community to natural disasters, coordinates resources and implements various actions to either eliminate or reduce the risks. In an attempt to protect the environment, the local government sets up a set rules that govern and guide the community on effective management of land use. For instance, the local government may set up rules regarding overgrazing and over cultivation. Examples are a few communities in West Virginia which have adopted effective land use and management practices in order to minimize risks arising from karst terrain (Cave Conservancy of the Virginias, 3). A local hazard and disaster mitigation plan should be created before a disaster occurs in order to guide the community on appropriate risk reduction activities. The mitigation plan should be regularly reviewed and amended to ensure that it does not overlook any opportunities for mitigation of hazards. Conclusion Different parts of the world are affected by natural hazards and disasters that result in losses amounting to millions of dollars, or even loss of life. However, the impact of these hazards can be mitigated through effective planning and pro-active land use. This report delineates the importance of effective planning as well as the various planning techniques, based on the book The Environmental Planning Handbook for sustainable communities and regions by Tom Daniels and Katherine Daniels. Through effective planning, local governments can manage to build both community understanding and support for various hazard and disaster mitigation strategies applicable to local disaster prone areas. Every community should ensure that it has laid down a hazard mitigation plan in advance before a disaster occurs. As seen from this report, an effectual hazard mitigation plan can help reduce the impact of disasters or even prevent the occurrence. Communities with an effective plan also take a shorter time to recover if a disaster occurs. Works Cited Cave Conservancy of the Virginias. Karst Protection Survey of Local Governments in West Virginia (Draft). Virginia: Virginia Tech Researchers, 2003. Print. Daniels, Tom & Daniels, Katherine. Environmental Planning Handbook for sustainable communities and regions. Washington DC: American Planning Association, 2003. Print. Shaw, Rajib et al. Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction. West Yorkshire: Emerald Group Publishing, 2010. Print. Singh, Vijay & Xu, Jun. Coastal Hydrology and Processes. Colorado: Water Resources Publication, 2006. Print. Read More