Collaboration key to building resilient communities to withstand disasters

There is some talk about collaboration as a strategy to build resilient society.  Translating that talk into action is another matter. Regardless, every bit of effort in right direction counts.  Therefore we think it is worth sharing this article published in Canadian Underwriter which cited Steven Blaney, Canada’s minister of public safety and emergency preparedness. As Mr Blaney was quoted saying “Canada’s evolving approach to emergency management means our government is shifting from a reactive model to one that allows us to better identify risks related to natural disasters, and to take steps to eliminate or reduce these risks and their impacts before a disaster strikes”.  Below is the article;

Collaboration key to building resilient communities to withstand disasters

A year ago Toronto was hit by ice storm making it one of the costliest disasters.  Photo: Alex Urosevic for National Post:  Power lines and CN Tower viewed through ice covered branches in Scarborough, December 23, 2013

A year ago Toronto was hit by ice storm making it one of the costliest disasters.
Photo: Alex Urosevic for National Post:
Power lines and CN Tower viewed through ice covered branches in Scarborough, December 23, 2013

Earthquake preparedness demands taking steps now to build resilient communities that can better withstand and recover from the impacts of natural disasters and other emergencies, Steven Blaney, Canada’s minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, emphasized during a speech in Vancouver yesterday. Speaking at an earthquake symposium hosted by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), Blaney called on all levels of government, industry, academics and the public to work together on earthquake preparedness strategies…

25 Devastating Effects Of Climate Change

disasrer induced displacement

I found this article by Leslie Baehr, Chelsea Harvey published recently in the Business Insider (Australia) which I think makes for mandatory sharing.  The authors make a compelling case with a list of issues that are already taking serious toll on socio-economic sustainability globally. 


The world is getting warmer and that’s already causing disasters that will devastate lives and cost hundreds of billions of dollars. Those problems are only getting worse, as shown by recent reports from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC) and the White House, among others. The greenhouse gas emissions that drive warming “now substantially exceed the highest concentrations recorded in ice cores during the past 800,000 years,” the IPCC said. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, which primarily come from the burning of fossil fuels, have risen 40% since preindustrial times…READ ON

Research shows the behaviour of business leaders could be directly linked to their experiences in childhood

I found this piece on phys.org and it immediately reminded me of a number of people whom I’ve met over the years during disaster response, recovery and resilience building activities.  The research results described in this piece are telling in so many ways.  Hope you enjoy it!

Tsunami Hits Minamisoma. Credit: Warren Antiola via flickr

Tsunami Hits Minamisoma. Credit: Warren Antiola via flickr

What makes a great leader? Effectiveness? Experience? Volcanoes? It might seem unlikely, but new research from a team of academics, including Raghavendra Rau, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Professor of Finance at Cambridge Judge Business School, suggests that experiencing a natural disaster at first hand during your early childhood can have a profound impact on your strategic and tactical decisions in later life. The team studied the impact of natural disasters on leading CEOs and, remarkably, found that those who experienced a number of moderate disasters actually had a greater appetite for risk-taking than those who had experienced none (unsurprisingly, those who experienced the most extreme natural disasters were most risk averse). It also found that they were more likely to take on more risk in response to a threat to the business…READ ON