Knowledge Base highlights and editors' picks

Top stories and editors' picks from the most recent additions. Explore the whole Knowledge Base.

Every week the PreventionWeb team of editors selects the latest news and research, reports and publications on disaster risk reduction – here is their selection of the latest must-read content.

Path through the RCA Pier Park, NJ, in front of the Philadelphia skyline

Update

3 November 2022

Reaching new levels in groundwater monitoring

As regions around the world face record-breaking droughts, researchers are using seismology to track groundwater levels and show that sustainable policies reduce strain on aquifers.

Eos - AGU

Long-term adaptation planning in Latin American and the Caribbean

Documents and publications

4 November 2022

Long-term adaptation planning in Latin American and the Caribbean

This report shows progress that the LAC region has made in terms of long-term adaptation planning (LTAP) – an important element of the response to the impacts of climate change, particularly in a region that is highly vulnerable to such impacts.

Cover_Pub_Deciphering human influence on annual maximum flood extent at the global level

Documents and publications

3 November 2022

Deciphering human influence on annual maximum flood extent at the global level

This study explores the long spatio-temporal evolution of global annual maximum flood extent (AMFE) and impervious area, as proxy of urbanization, using high-resolution observational global data over the last 30 years.

Update

3 November 2022

Climate policies need to be better prepared to deal with transboundary climate risks

Climate policies need to be better prepared to deal with transboundary climate risks resulting from the cascading effects of both climate hazards and adaptation responses.

Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations

Documents and publications

3 November 2022

Adaptation gap report 2022

The seventh edition of the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2022 looks at progress in planning, financing and implementing adaptation actions. At least 84 per cent of Parties to the UNFCCC have established adaptation plans, strategies, laws and policies.

Update

2 November 2022

If more houses had water butts, it could help with drought, flooding and water pollution

Earlier this year, southern England experienced its driest July on record. The drought affected many parts of the UK and grew so acute that Thames Water’s hosepipe ban will remain in force into 2023.

Conversation Media Group, the

WMO State of the Climate Europe 2021 Cover

Documents and publications

2 November 2022

State of the Climate in Europe 2021

The State of the Climate in Europe report provides information on rising temperatures, land and marine heatwaves, extreme weather, changing precipitation patterns and retreating ice and snow.

Houses with wildfire smoke in the background

Research briefs

31 October 2022

CSU researchers design model that predicts which buildings will survive wildfire

CSU engineers have developed a model that can predict how wildfire will impact a community down to which buildings will burn. They say predicting damage to the built environment is essential to developing fire mitigation strategies and steps for recovery.

Colorado State University

Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami disaster

Update

1 November 2022

Here’s how Japan is using technology to mitigate disasters

The Great East Japan Earthquake, which took place on 11 March 2011, was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan, reaching a magnitude of 9.0 and bringing unprecedented disaster to the Tohoku region and other areas.

World Economic Forum

Update

28 October 2022

Envisioning resilience: Bringing underrepresented women's voices into planning for climate change adaptation

Women's meaningful participation is needed for gender-responsive adaptation, yet women are underrepresented in decision making. Creative solutions facilitate dialogue, bridge knowledge system gaps, and ensure that climate action investments benefit all.

International Institute for Sustainable Development