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.

The ruined remains of a building after an earthquake

Update

19 September 2023

Earthquakes and other natural hazards are a risk everywhere – here’s how people are preparing in the US and around the world

Some places are prone to hazards but there’s nowhere where the risk is zero. We can make good decisions to lower the odds of such hazards turning into disasters. Technology can help determine where to make investments to save the most lives.

Conversation Media Group, the

Documents and publications

21 September 2023

World Risk Report 2023: Focus: Diversity

The WorldRiskReport (WRR) 2023 examines the complex interrelationship between crises, marginalized groups, and the diverse structure of societies.

Research briefs

20 September 2023

How much does wildfire smoke influence air quality trends?

New research reveals the growing influence of wildfire smoke on air quality trends across most of the USA. Wildfire smoke in recent years has slowed or reversed progress toward cleaner air in 35 states, erasing a quarter of gains made since 2000.

Stanford University

Research briefs

14 September 2023

Urgent need for nature-based solutions to protect Brazil’s vulnerable coastline from climate change

A recent study unveils new information about escalating risks posed by climate change to Brazil’s extensive coastline, and reveals that nature-based solutions can significantly reduce these risks, and therefore support climate adaptation.

Nature-based Solutions Initiative

Gold money coin with trading graph, financial investment concept can use as background

Update

19 September 2023

Four ways to use public financial management to address climate change

Bangladesh has made dramatic strides in reducing the deaths and economic impact of climate-related weather events. Public financial management has played a role in these achievements, offering important insights for other countries.

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

A bystander takes a photo of floods in Zaragoza, Spain

Research briefs

19 September 2023

Interplay of climate change-exacerbated rainfall, exposure and vulnerability led to widespread impacts in the Mediterranean region

During the first two weeks of September 2023 torrential rain fell in several countries across the Mediterranean, caused by low-pressure systems forming around a blocking high centred over the Netherlands.

World Weather Attribution

Portuguese firefighters extinguish a wildfire outside Guimarães

Update

18 September 2023

Lebanon's forests: Dousing fire risks through stronger forest management

Government and community-based organizations responded quickly to Lebanon's wildfire season, joining forces to combat the flames, and often managing to limit the damage and avoid casualties despite the odds being stacked against them

World Bank, the

Update

18 September 2023

Desert dust storms carry human-made toxic pollutants, and the health risk extends indoors

Around the world, deserts now increasingly border built structures, including urban dwellings, manufacturing, transportation hubs, sewage treatment and landfills. As a result, desert dust lifts a growing load of airborne pollutants.

Conversation Media Group, the

Damaged bridge after the floods in the Ahr valley in Germany in 2021.

Update

15 September 2023

How weather ‘blocks’ have triggered more extreme heatwaves and floods across Europe

A blocking event is a disruption to the usual weather patterns of Earth’s middle latitudes. Due to “blocked” weather patterns, Europe saw widespread flooding in the southern region while the UK experienced its longest ever September heatwave.

Conversation Media Group, the

Iluminated light bulb is located on soil and plant are growing.

Update

18 September 2023

Putting people first in disaster risk finance – the Centre's new accountability guidance

Being accountable involves taking into account the views of people affected by your decisions and actions or inactions and being able to be held to account for the consequences of your decisions and actions.

Centre for Disaster Protection