Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

There is a growing evidence of the fact that disaster risk is increasing worldwide and is compounded by climate change. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies are well established in the international development community and address a variety of hazards. Climate change also contributes to seasonal fluctuations that have a severe negative effect on natural resource-based livelihoods, both long and short term. Despite being backed by evidence, this two-way links between vulnerability to disasters and lack to long term adaptation and resilient development have received limited attention. Development policy is needed to address climate change at the community level by helping those most affected through climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies; however, there are no standard, internationally agreed-upon guidelines for the integration of climate-change adaptation and DRR, and while individual countries have developed various guiding frameworks, these frameworks remain untested. We argue that DRR and CCA have evolved largely along parallel paths, and better integration of DRR and CCA can help with the creation of climate-resilient development both in pre and post disaster situations. This presentation highlights the differences and similarities between DRR and CCA by analyzing climate-related DRR in 55 projects funded through the International Development Research Centre in climate change and natural disasters hot spots. We will also examine lessons learned, gaps, and opportunities by analyzing CCA and DRR strategies emerging from these projects. Finally, we identify ways forward for international development policy and international practice, supporting all forms of risk reduction by integrating DRR and CCA strategies.

Biography