How can natural hazard scientists enhance their contribution to building sustainable and resilient societies?

Abstract

<p>Reducing disaster risk is critical to securing the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and natural hazard scientists can help to do this. Their understanding of Earth dynamics underpins hazard analysis, which (alongside analysis of other disaster risk drivers) in turn informs the actions needed to manage and reduce disaster risk. Here we outline how natural hazard research scientists can contribute to the planning and development of sustainable and resilient communities through improved engagement in disaster risk reduction (DRR). Building on existing good practice, this talk therefore aims to provoke discussion in the natural hazard science community about how we strengthen our engagement in DRR. We first set out seven reflections on improving the integration of natural hazard science into DRR: (i) characterise multi-hazard environments, (ii) prioritise effective, long-term partnerships, (iii) understand and listen to stakeholder, (iv) embed cultural understanding into natural hazards research, (v) ensure improved and equitable access to hazards information, (vi) champion people-centred DRR (leave no one behind), and (vii) improve links between DRR and sustainable development. We then proceed to synthesise key actions that natural hazards scientists and research funders can take to improve education, training, and research design, and to strengthen institutional, financial and policy actions. We suggest that these actions support the translation, adoption and effective application of natural hazards science, and will enable the natural hazard science community to contribute more effectively to the integrated work needed to improve DRR activities.</p>