TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating Critical Links in Early Warning Systems for Natural Hazards
AU - Garcia, Carolina
AU - Fearnley, Carina Jacqueline
N1 - Special Issue:Disaster risk reduction for natural hazards: Putting research into practice
PY - 2012/1/31
Y1 - 2012/1/31
N2 - Early warning systems (EWS) are extensive systems that integrate different components of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for the provision of timely warnings to minimise loss of life, and to reduce economic and social impact on vulnerable populations. Historically, empirical research has focused on the individual components or subsystems of EWS, such as hazard monitoring, risk assessment, forecasting tools and warning dissemination. Yet, analyses of natural hazard disasters indicate that, in most cases, it is not the individual components of EWS that cause failure, but the processes that link them. This paper reviews several case studies conducted over the last thirty years, to present common emerging factors that improve links between the different components of EWS. The factors identified include: (1) establishment of effective communication networks to integrate science research into practice; (2) development of effective decision-making processes that incorporate local contexts by defining accountability and responsibility; (3) acknowledgment of the importance in risk perception and trust for an effective reaction; (4) consideration of the differences among technocratic and participatory approaches in EWS when applied in diverse contexts. These factors show the importance of flexibility and the consideration of local context in making EWS effective, whereas increasing levels of standardisation within EWS nationally and globally, might challenge the ability to incorporate the required local expertise and circumstances.
AB - Early warning systems (EWS) are extensive systems that integrate different components of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for the provision of timely warnings to minimise loss of life, and to reduce economic and social impact on vulnerable populations. Historically, empirical research has focused on the individual components or subsystems of EWS, such as hazard monitoring, risk assessment, forecasting tools and warning dissemination. Yet, analyses of natural hazard disasters indicate that, in most cases, it is not the individual components of EWS that cause failure, but the processes that link them. This paper reviews several case studies conducted over the last thirty years, to present common emerging factors that improve links between the different components of EWS. The factors identified include: (1) establishment of effective communication networks to integrate science research into practice; (2) development of effective decision-making processes that incorporate local contexts by defining accountability and responsibility; (3) acknowledgment of the importance in risk perception and trust for an effective reaction; (4) consideration of the differences among technocratic and participatory approaches in EWS when applied in diverse contexts. These factors show the importance of flexibility and the consideration of local context in making EWS effective, whereas increasing levels of standardisation within EWS nationally and globally, might challenge the ability to incorporate the required local expertise and circumstances.
KW - RISK
KW - VOLCANO
KW - preparedness
KW - geohazards
KW - risk awareness
KW - community
KW - PERCEPTION
KW - risk communication
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2160/10837
U2 - 10.1080/17477891.2011.609877
DO - 10.1080/17477891.2011.609877
M3 - Special issue
SN - 1747-7891
VL - 11
SP - 123
EP - 137
JO - Environmental Hazards
JF - Environmental Hazards
IS - 2
ER -