The Concept of Resilience - Essay Example

The concept of resilience al affiliation The concept of resilience 0. Introduction The concept of resilience hashad a great place in the headlines of news in the contemporary world. A great percentage of states in the world today are faced with a myriad of challenges that relate to the response in times of crisis. It is in this context, therefore, that these countries have come up with workable solutions towards tackling issues that pertain to the creation of novel means of handling such issues. Bosher (2008) indicates that it is due to the augment in the necessity to handle such instances, that humanitarians have worked endlessly to come up with workable solutions to alleviate the various problems faced in the world today. In light to this argument, the concept of resilience came into the picture. This essay shall attempt to define the concept of resilience from the works of various authors, give an example of the application of the concept in two countries- one from the developed world, New Zealand and another developing, Chile - then come up with a conclusion on why the concept has been applied in many countries, in terms of disaster management. The essay shall also focus on the various complexities faced by both countries in an attempt to deal with resilience issues and the measures adopted by each government, in response to the same issue. It is important, however, to note that despite the economic disparities in both countries, resilience mechanisms cannot be alienated from survival of the countries. With the increase in natural hazards in these countries, adoption of resilience mechanisms is almost impossible. 1.1. Definition of resilience Folke (2006) defines resilience as the ability of a society, community or an organization to come up with up with measures, that would aid in handling the various forms of hazards that they may be exposed to, in the course of habitation. He continues to argue that, if a form of the system is able to handle various forms of hazards that are exposed to them; the organization may be regarded as a system, which has developed resilience measures. Resilience, in this context, can be attributed for its ability to aid citizens in handling issue in their society. Studies indicate that resilience has been credited for its ability to allow states maintain forms of stability and functioning. In essence, resilience can be described as a form of a system that allows states and societies function in a stable manner, despite the tough conditions, the country may be undergoing. Resilience, in this context, can be argued to play the role of ‘an absorber’ of all the ills and challenges the country may be facing; thus, allow the society devise new systems of operation (Cumming, 2011). Klein (2003) indicates that resilience may offer survival tactics to organizations and states, either in the form of finances, new ideologies in curbing the tough situations, physical strengths or even, mental potency. It is warranted to argue that, resilience plays a major role in the provision of vital ideologies that would emancipate any form of organization from ills, consequently, create a milieu whereby sustainable development would be achievable. Nonetheless, it is important to focus on the issue of vulnerability in the context of resilience and development. Martine (2008) indicates that, vulnerability cannot be alienated from the issue of resilience. Vulnerability to a social issue, leads to the need to devise methods by the concerned countries to come up with methods that would allow them fit in their current situations, either through finding a solution of coming out of the problem undyingly. Contemporary studies focus mostly on vulnerability and the implications; it has had on the resilience capacity of the concerned states. In relation to this concept, Oslon (2011) indicates that, for communities to survive in today’s tough situations, an understanding of resilience and vulnerability cannot be escaped. An application of resilience machinery would be beneficial for assistance of alleviating vulnerabilities in the society. On another angle, Kanti (2001) argues that, there is no universal definition of the term resilience. He continues to argue that, though the term has created endless debates, it is vital that all aspects of the term are analyzed. According to Paton and Johnston (2006) resilience is defined as a measure of the ability of systems to handle various predicaments that may be imposed on them. If a country is able to maintain its systems and its populace despite, the pressures imposed on them, it would be justified to argue that, the country has developed and sustained resilience. In essence, resilience can be defined as, the aptitude of a state to deal with hard-hitting situations in the country. The capacity to recuperate from such tough situations, whether natural disasters, poverty or inflation, may be indicated as resilience adapted systems. On the other hand, Roaf (2010), indicates that, resilience put certain systems on survival ability check, as well as endow them with skills that would allow them survive in tough times. It is warranted, in this context, to argue that, resilience, in a complete opposite of vulnerability. Through resilience, Kliot and Unruh (2004), indicates that, livelihoods can easily be sustained, through the potential of coping with shock and pressures of the world. In order to attain resilience, it is recommended that systems ensure that the policies are followed in such a way that, they are concurrent with the requests of the population at large. The systems in question must endeavor to ensure that, they are driven towards acquiring more assets for their systems. On another note, Porfiriev (2010) defines resilience as the ability of an organization to uphold a functioning system, regardless of the hazards that are imposed on it. Resilience is settled on; if the system is able to come up with solutions to curb the various challenges, it has been subjected to. Resilience also emanates from the ability of a country to come out strongly after undergoing immense crisis in terms of risk management. Just like persons undergo moments of susceptibility, so does systems suffer for inability to handle hazardous situations. However, resilience must ensure that all households are in a position to draw a lot from their capabilities to perform and attain the maximum output. There are various forms of crisis that may need modifications of emergency mechanisms. Crisis like emergencies may require immediate response by the concerned parties in order to alleviate instances that would reduce the system to submission to unalleviated situations. Sharma and Shaw (2001) indicate, that withdrawal form such instances is extremely tasking and that the concerned parties must work to ensure that, they are geared towards coming up with quick responses that allow for satisfactory development plans. Resilience, therefore, is the ability of a system to handle situations or adapt to various forms of hazards. For successful incorporation of resilience mechanisms in various systems, it is important that, the systems conduct prior preparations in relation to the hazards. Rescue systems have been credited for their ability to have aforesaid structural adjustments, incase of emergencies. Ungar’s (2011) ideology on resilience indicates peoples’ capacity to handle hazardous situations in the environment as a result of planned groundwork. He justifies his argument by indicating that, resilience has been extremely beneficial in countries that have faced challenges in terms of disaster management. 2.0. Body Humanity determines the kind of social systems that a country is likely to encompass. Global changes also have contributed a great mile in the shaping the ecosystems in the local and global environments. The services offered by ecosystems cannot be alienated from the fact that, they have to, continually be, maintained and supported. The patterns of production and consumption in various countries have to be interconnected with those of other areas in an attempt to sustain ecosystems of all countries. However, the major issue is to widen the governance systems that would allow the environment be sustainable and sustain the environment. In this context, this case study shall focus on natural hazards, and environmental management issues. Resilience has played a great role in environmental management issues in various countries both in the developed and developing world. The major focus of this case, therefore, is to investigate the issue of resilience, citing the example of natural hazards that are caused by natural causative agents, in Chile and New Zealand. Evidence form various forms of literature will be applied, in an attempt to apply resilience in environmental management issues. 2.1. Chile and natural disasters Chile has, just like any other country, has gone through a series of dreadful moments. In this context, natural disasters have claimed a greater part of this country’s resources in terms of coping with the disasters that are taking a toll in the country. Chile is not unknown to tremors, earthquakes, tsunamis and other forms of destruction. However, studies indicate, that despite the various challenges faced by this country, it has endeavored to steer ahead in the development and sustainability process. Paton and Johnston (2006) indicate that, this is an explanation of the fact that, Chile has adopted resilience mechanisms from experience it has had from the natural disasters. Studies indicate that Chile is one of the country’s that has gone through tough times while emancipating themselves from the ills in the country. To emphasize on this point, it is evident that Chile has emancipated itself from the wrangles of natural disasters. Most of the Chileans have been seen to be confident to go back to work in the mines, despite the mining disaster that had stricken the country. Chile had experienced terrorist attacks and earthquakes that cost the country a great deal. With the worldwide news on the tragic events facing Chile, on a layman’s view, it would be suggested that, the country would be in no position recollect itself and progress to another level of achieving sustainable development. To show how these disasters impacted on the lives of the populace of Chile, a great percentage of individuals were seen to undergo traumatic events and mental disorders, who were later to undergo a series of the healing process, assisted by the country’s government as well as, non governmental organizations that worked together to see to the development of the country. This is an indication of resilience mechanisms adopted by the country that saw the country in a better position to handle disasters that might hit the country. On an individual level, individuals can be said to have adopted resilience mechanisms. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Maintaining Momentum (2011), individual resilience allows individuals overcome obstacles of life but get strengthened by the failures they may have gone through, in the past. The populace of the Chile can arguably be indicated to focus on the abilities of individuals to overcome their current devastating nature through an emphasis on their abilities. Pelling (2003) indicates that resilience is only possible if individuals are motivated towards achieving individual goals that add up to universal goals. Individuals have indicated strengthening in attaining their objectives, from learning unfavorable situations. In this context, it evident that the concept of resilience has become central to many countries efforts to cope with disasters- Chile among the many countries. The ability of the country to deal with the natural hazards that it has faced over the years, can be described as Chile’s way towards attaining resilience. The ability of a country to grow and find solutions to the problems that face them may be indicated to be state resilience. Haines and Green (2011) indicate that the major benefits that come along with resilience of a country range from cultural identity and proper fit in the society full of hazards. In the work of Verner (2010), on developments of Chile, indicates, that thanks to the adversities that have hit the country, the government and other organizations in the country have continually been on the move to come up with solutions that would rebuild Chile from the earthquake and tsunami. It is through disasters that continuously threaten the security of countries that most it has dawned on many governments on the need to always protect its citizens from conditions that may hit the country’s security. It is in light to this argument that, the country has seen the development of a new phase of disaster management that allow citizens develop a new way of dealing with people’s fear of the unknown. Haigh and Amaratunga (2011) indicate that third world countries like Chile have benefited a lot from the disasters that have continually challenged their countries. Third world countries have had a better understanding of the concepts of natural disasters and the rate at which they can completely distort the country’s resources. In the case of Chile, the country was seen on the move to analyze situations that led to the occurrence of the 2010 earthquake. After the country, it dawned on the country, how vulnerable it was on natural hazards. In response, the country undertook the measure of conducting experiments on to analyze the causative agents of the earthquake. The government also spent a large summation of money in an attempt to compare and contrast the evidences from various researchers on the menace. Bruneau et al (2003) indicate that this is a step towards eliminating vulnerability of the country and adopting resilience measures in the country. The results of the country’s natural disasters contributed a great mile in the assessment of the country’s vulnerability and resilience abilities of Chile. This argument leads to our justification of the theme that, resilience has become a central concept in many countries today. After careful analysis of the causative agents of the earthquake, the country’s government was in a position to devise a working plan on the policies and aids that the government applied to alleviate the vulnerability position of the country. Haines and Green (2011) indicate that Chile has been on the fore front in adopting resilient measures, despite the impacts of the earthquake. Despite the massive implications of the country’s devastating earthquake strike, adoption of resilience measures saw growth of the country and restructuring of its policies to earning position ten in the ranking towards economic growth. In south and central Caribbean, this position can be rated a high quality one due to the massive challenges such countries face in the quest to fit in the tough economic times. Commitment to come out strong after the earthquake is an indication of the move by the country towards resilience against unforeseen disasters. Despite the economic costs of dealing with natural disasters, Chile’s government has not been left by the other developing countries, on the move to deal with economic degradation in the country, as a result of the earthquake. On another angle, Verner (2010) attests to the fact that, the concept of resilience has become central to many countries efforts to cope with disasters, yet complex and contested concept, as Chile has been credited for its ability to alienate partisan politics from the development process of the country. The government has been seen to have undying efforts towards responding to a national crisis that are likely to hit the country. In conjunction with other organizations, like the United Nations, the government of Chile has been seen to construct bridges, as well as, allocation of a large sum of money in damage assessment strategies that assist with advice on the type of water filtration apparatus to purchase, surgical centers amongst others to create defense mechanisms. Despite the earthquake disaster, the country also went through a terrifying mining disaster that saw the country go through a horrifying impact on its citizens. According to studies on Chile disaster management, the mining disaster saw burying of persons for about 70 days. Such instances have put the government on its toes towards attaining disaster management strategies. In response, the government in conjunction with the disaster management organizations has teamed up with to train its miners on disaster management policies, in order to endow them with the dexterity that would allow its miners remain prepared in times of such occurrences. By 2010, the Chilean government is indicated to have prepared its citizens for any form of disaster that might be imposed on them. This is a signal of the fact that the country had worked endlessly towards the elimination of all forms of vulnerability that had faced the country for a long time. This is an indication of resilience measures the country had adopted to emancipate its citizens from the impacts of natural disasters. 2.1.1. Concept of livelihood resilience and Chile’s natural disasters   In relation to resilience and Chile and natural disasters, the populace of Chile has to develop livelihood resilience to deal with the critical issue facing the country. On one hand, a majority of the populace faced the issues directly, living with the fact that, they had to go on with the agony of losing their loved ones in the earthquakes. In response, counseling of the concerned parties took shape in the country with flexible working hours offered to the concerned parties. On a household level, individuals were taught how to deal with crisis deterrence. In the context of the earthquake, the country undertook measures of enlightening individuals on the need to embrace proper communication skills in times of disaster. Paton and Johnston (2006) indicate that proper communication is mandatory in handling tragic events like the earthquake. Individuals in various organizations are now more conversant with the importance of communication in handling situations that require immediate normalcy, in an attempt to cope with varying behaviors and reactions in the organization. Conclusively, Chile government can be seen to be on the move to embrace that concept of resilience as a counter mechanism of vulnerability. Such critical incidents that the country has undergone has strengthened the ability of the country to strengthen the ability of adopting resilience mechanisms. 2.2. New Zealand and natural disasters New Zealand faces disasters just like any other country on the globe. Alongside terrorism, infrastructure, and other ills, the country faces pandemics such as earthquakes, tsunamis as well as volcanoes. According to Luthar (2003), the country can be classified among the many countries that are not devoid of miseries. In such countries, the governments concerned have been seen on the move to deal with such tough circumstances in an attempt to change and upgrade the lives of individuals form the miseries of human nature. In relation to the issue of New Zealand, the government has been on the move to allow its citizens to spring back from the miseries they face. This is an interpretation of the fact that, the government is on the verge to ensure that the populace learns all the tactics that are required to deal with tough situations in the environment. Simply the government can be said devise resilience measures to tackle the vulnerability of the country. 2.2.1. New Zealand and resilience measures With the number of earthquakes hitting five, the country faced massive destruction of its infrastructure not mentioning the economic degradation faced by the country. Studies indicate that, after the first earthquake, the country quickly restored to normalcy, but after the second threat, the country’s resilience ability was put under scrutiny. Rivera and Miller (2010) indicate that the concept of resilience has had tremendous impacts on alienation of vulnerabilities such as natural disasters. Through incorporation of resilience measures, the country has been in a position to utilize its utilities to avoid disruption of the sustainable development plans of the country. The government of New Zealand has adopted new legislations that are able to deal with the risks that seemingly are likely to overcome the country’s ability to deal with its vulnerabilities. One of the major legislations made by the government are inclusive of the creation of policies that see to it that, the populace are able to have proper systems that prepare the country in terms of security form hazards. Sirgy (2004) indicates that the human race has never been easier, and the populace of New Zealand is no exception. In the context of hazards, they are no exception to the menace. In New Zealand resilience mechanisms adopted by the government are mechanist in nature. According to Hollnagel et al, (2011), the government is taking all the required steps in coming up with timely remedies in dealing with shocks. In response, the government has been seen to work hand in hand with other non governmental organizations to provide financial resources to the country in times of crisis. This is evident from the local levels, where the government has been involved in emergency responses that are resultant from the natural disasters. This is an interpretation of the fact that the government is instilling resilient measures from the local level; thus, allowing the country be conversant with the ills of vulnerability of a country. With the community geared towards resilience mechanisms at a local level, the country has been in a position to handle emergency cases from the grassroots levels. From this example, of New Zealand, the concept of resilience can arguably be indicated to play a central in an endeavor to cope with disasters in the country. The government of New Zealand has been indicated to work closely with engineers. In turn, in the course of constructions, they have been seen to come with designs that are able to handle forms of natural disasters. For instance, while constructing various forms of infrastructure, the government has been constant and consistent in ensuring that proper designs are created to avoid horrifying incidence like those of the previous years. However, critics argue that, countries like New Zealand are quick to come up with policies and structure that are more inclined to the theoretical aspect, but not practical. In such instances, Hollnagel et al, (2011), argues that, resilience may not necessarily be attained if the cycle of poor policy implementation escalates. In the case of New Zealand, the government must come out clear on the scope of the designs that need to be created to come up with counter resilient mechanisms. In the work of Hollnagel et al, (2011) New Zealand can be indicated to be resilient in terms of its preparedness ability. The government in conjunction with UNDP has been on frontline in coming up with recovery planning that respond to disasters and restoring the lives of people. The context of adaptability in this context refers to the ability of the concerned stakeholders in coming up with efficient and effective plans to handle both post and pre disaster moments. The government of New Zealand can also be said to embrace resilience measures through identification of the types of hazards, and the concerned mitigation strategies that are able to lessen the implications of vulnerabilities of the natural hazards. Creation of adaptable recovery plans, by the government has been a great step towards inclusion of resilience mechanisms in the country’s security. The government of New Zealand has been credited for its ability to organize pre-disaster mechanisms, from an analysis of the likely future experiences that may be caused by natural disasters. Rivera and Miller (2010) identify the importance of having rigid structures of handling disasters way much ahead of time. In the context of New Zealand, the government learnt the need to develop disaster preparedness plans prior to disasters, thanks to the Canterbury earthquake. Analysts indicate that, had the government planned earlier on the earthquake, the effects would not have been that extreme. Through this experience, the government was in a better position to devise working plans that are inclusive of all undertakings in such occurrences. The government of New Zealand has been seen to restructure its policies on approach to earthquakes and other related hazards through an investigation of the areas that are likely to face such disasters. From the Canterbury Regional Council, there has been a clear depiction of the classification of areas that are likely to face natural disasters, in order to have a clear working plan to avoid the spread of the same. New Zealand’s government has also undertaken measures to identify places that need and need not have buildings. This move has led to the country’s ability to work and plan a course of action, in times of disasters. Through this plan by the government, there is a major likelihood that the government’s adaptable plans are most likely to rationalize and hasten recuperation process, in times of disasters. 3.0. Conclusion Conclusively, the topic of resilience has created a new shape of disaster management in both the third world and developed countries. Natural disasters that, have hit the countries in such a manner that has renewed the need of the concerned governments to come up with stringent measures that, can deal with the vulnerabilities faced by these countries. Resilience concepts way outdo the natural disasters by coming up with solutions to crisis management, thus withstand issues of natural disasters that, at most times are caused by climatic change (Adger, 2006). Countries have been indicated to adopt resilience to issues that may cause lifetime implications on the country’s sustainable development. From the above arguments, it is defensible to argue that the concept of resilience has become central to many countries efforts to cope with disasters, despite it being a complex and contested concept. Recovery planning on disasters have, been beneficial in coming up with areas that, are more resilient despite the implications of the previous disasters. This case study has endeavored to analyze the situation of resilience mechanisms in Chile and New Zealand. Resilience mechanisms can arguably be credited for their ability to prepare the concerned countries to adapt to situations that may be extreme to handle (Gildstein, 2011). Through resilience, vulnerability of countries has been minimized while sustainable development given a good ground to flourish. Pre-disaster planning minimizes the chances of a country being totally immersed in disaster effects, and, on the other hand, allows for assessment of the whole situation; thus, come up with the best solutions to issue facing the country. 4.0. References Adger, W, 2006, “Vulnerability”, Global Environmental Change, 16(3), pp. 268–281. Bosher, L, 2008, Hazards and the built environment: attaining built-in resilience, New York: Taylor & Francis. Bruneau, M, et al, 2003, “A Framework to Quantitatively Assess and Enhance the Seismic Resilience of Communities,” Earthquake Spectra, Vol.19, No.4, pp. 733-752. Committee on the Challenge of Developing Sustainable Urban systems, National Research Council, 2010, Pathways to Urban Sustainability: Research and Development on Urban Systems. New York: National Academies Press. Cumming, G, 2011, Spatial Resilience in Social-Ecological Systems. New York: Springer Publishers. Folke, C., 2006. Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social–ecological systems analyses. Global Environmental Change, 16, pp.253–267. Gildstein, B, 2011, Collaborative Resilience: Moving Through Crisis to Opportunity. New York: MIT Press. Haigh, R, and Amaratunga, D, 2011, Post-Disaster Reconstruction of the Built Environment: Rebuilding for Resilience, New York: John Wiley & Sons. Haines, A, and Green, P, 2011, Asset Building & Community Development, London: SAGE. Hollnagel, E, et al, 2011, Resilience Engineering in Practice: A Guidebook, New York: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd Klein., R.J.T., 2003. Resilience to natural hazards: How useful is this concept? Environmental Hazards, 5, pp.35–45.  Kanti, P, 2001, Environmental Hazards and Disasters: Contexts, Perspectives and Management. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Kliot, N, and Unruh, D, 2004, Environmental change and its implications for population migration, New York: Springer. Luthar, S, 2003, Resilience and vulnerability: adaptation in the context of childhood adversities, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Martine, G, 2008, The new global frontier: urbanization, poverty and environment in the 21st century, New York: IIED. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Maintaining Momentum, 2011, OECD Perspectives on Policy Challenges in Chile. Chile: OECD Publishing. Oslon, S, 2011, Increasing National Resilience to Hazards and Disasters: The Perspective from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi: Summary of a Workshop. London: National Academies Press. Paton, D, and Johnston, M, 2006, Disaster resilience: an integrated approach, New York: Charles C Thomas Publishers. Pelling, M, 2003, The vulnerability of cities: natural disasters and social resilience, London: Earth Scan Publishers. Porfiriev, B, 2010, Climate Change as Environmental and Economic Hazard. London: Earth Scan Publishers. Rivera, D, and Miller, D, 2010, Community Disaster Recovery and Resiliency: Exploring Global Opportunities and Challenges. New York: Taylor & Francis. Roaf, S, 2010, Transforming Markets in the Built Environment: Adapting to Climate Change. London: Earth Scan Publishers. Sharma, A, and Shaw, R, 2001, Climate and Disaster Resilience in Cities. New York: Emerald Group Publishing. Sirgy, J, et al, 2004, Community quality-of-life indicators: best cases. New York: Springer. Ungar, M, 2011, The Social Ecology of Resilience: A Handbook of Theory and Practice. New York: Springer. United Nations Human Settlements Program, 2007, Enhancing urban safety and security: global report on human settlements. London: Earth Scan. Verner, D, 2010, Reducing poverty, protecting livelihoods, and building assets in a changing climate: social implications of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean. New York: World Bank Publications. Read More