Knowledge Base highlights and editors' picks

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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.

Update

19 October 2022

Facing the dual threat of climate change and human disturbance, Mumbai – and the world – should listen to its fishing communities

Coastal cities and settlements are at the forefront of climate disruption. Rising sea levels, warmer seas and changes in rainfall patterns are together creating conditions that mean misery for coastal dwellers.

Conversation Media Group, the

Researchers recording oceanographic data as part of the NOAA Deep Search study

Research briefs

18 October 2022

A new comprehensive assessment of ocean warming highlights future climate risks

This study reviews information on ocean temperature collected around the world. The research finds that upper 2000m warming began in the 1950s , and the warming rate is accelerating, resulting in relentlessly rising sea levels.

Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Update

17 October 2022

New video game helps young adults prepare for earthquakes

A newly released video game can help inspire young adults to prepare for an earthquake or other natural disaster. It’s just in time for International ShakeOut Day on October 20 when people across the globe will be practicing earthquake safety.

Business Wire

Policy brief: Nordic perspectives on transboundary climate risk

Documents and publications

18 October 2022

Policy brief: Nordic perspectives on transboundary climate risk

As open economies, the Nordic countries can be exposed to transboundary climate risks (TCRs). This report makes recommendations on how the Nordics can better address TCRs together, through joint research, awareness raising and private sector engagement.

A flooded street after hurricane Irma hit Florida, USA.

Research briefs

14 October 2022

Land in a cyclone's wake becomes more vulnerable to forest fires

The strong winds and torrential rains that accompany a cyclone do tremendous damage to ecosystems, and this damage can make them more prone to future wildfires

One Earth (Cell Press) (Elsevier)

Notable impact of wildfires in the western United States on weather hazards in the central United States

Documents and publications

18 October 2022

Notable impact of wildfires in the western United States on weather hazards in the central United States

This paper shows that wildfires in the western United States can lead to more severe hazardous weather in the central United States, notably increasing occurrences of heavy precipitation rates and large hail.

Women eating together in Senegal in the traditional manner.

Research briefs

17 October 2022

Flooding significantly impacts African food security, says study

A study of more than a dozen nations in west, east and southern Africa indicates that flooding can substantially affect food security for millions of people. The research comes on the heels of pervasive record flooding across Africa in 2020.

Columbia Climate School

Research briefs

13 October 2022

Burying short sections of power lines could drastically reduce hurricanes' impact on coastal residents

Strategically burying just 5% of power lines — specifically those near main distribution points — would almost halve the number of residents affected by compound hazards caused by hurricane-related power outages, according to a Princeton study.

National Science Foundation

Update

13 October 2022

Nigeria floods: expert insights into why they’re so devastating and what to do about them

This article curates expert insights into Nigeria’s flooding challenge and steps needed to alleviate their worst effects, drawn from The Conversation Africa.

Conversation Media Group, the

Destructed coast by Hurricane Ian which hit the USA in September 2022.

Update

14 October 2022

How the costs of disasters like Hurricane Ian are calculated – and why it takes so long to add them up

The US experienced 15 disasters in the first nine months of 2022 that each caused at least US$1 billion in damage. Hurricane Ian is taking the largest toll of these disasters by far – but the extent of the damage could take years to calculate.

Conversation Media Group, the