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.

A man cooling himself off under a water pipe in Bajgladesh.

Research briefs

30 August 2023

Access to air conditioning is a new indicator of inequality

Enrica De Cian, Professor at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and research scientist at CMCC, explains in an interview for the French newspaper Le Monde how access to air conditioning is an indicator of energy inequalities.

Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici

Documents and publications

31 August 2023

Cyclone preparedness for renewable energy projects: General advisory to power sector utilities with a special focus on renewables

This is a general advisory that contains recommended steps for preparing wind and solar projects for cyclones and high-wind extreme events.

Update

30 August 2023

Migrant workers facing the dangers of wildfires need support

Temporary migrant workers in the Global North are already highly vulnerable to abuse in the workplace and hazardous working conditions. That vulnerability is often drastically increased in times of crisis.

Conversation Media Group, the

Documents and publications

30 August 2023

Artificial Intelligence, disasters and marginalised groups

The goal of this briefing is to deepen understanding of artificial intelligence's (AI) current role in disaster risk reduction (DRR), project its potential future trajectories within this sector, and address arising concerns.

Young child standing inside the doorframe of a house in Madagascar, Africa.

Research briefs

29 August 2023

Extreme weather events linked to increased child marriage

Among the negative impacts of extreme weather events around the world is one that most people may not think of: an increase in child marriages.

Ohio State University

Silhouette electricity pylons during sunset

Update

28 August 2023

Shutting off power to reduce wildfire risk on windy days isn’t a simple decision – an energy expert explains the trade-offs electric utilities face

Deciding to shut off power isn’t as simple is as it might sound. The executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Tech, talks about the risks and trade-offs utilities have to weigh in deciding how to respond during fire-risk conditions.

Conversation Media Group, the

Micro Grid Power Plant in Austin, Texas (USA)

Update

28 August 2023

Lessons from the Maui wildfires on building a climate-resilient grid for island communities

Vulnerable power grids increase the risk of wildfires. Deteriorating components and poorly maintained, aged infrastructure can spark wildfires, as was the case in the Camp fire in California in 2018.

Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs

Update

28 August 2023

How drought in Central America is pushing up the cost of living in Australia

What does a drought in Central America have to do with Australia’s cost of living? Quite a lot, if the drought affects the Panama Canal.

Conversation Media Group, the

Documents and publications

28 August 2023

Towards effective early warning systems: Impact and lessons from Nepal and Peru

The report presents findings from Practical Action's commissioned assessment to better understand the impact of our people-centred early warning system (EWS) programming in Nepal and Peru.

A group of five children from a village in Pakistan playing in the green field.

Update

21 August 2023

The role of businesses in keeping children safe from disaster & climate impacts in East Asia Pacific

The Asia-Pacific Consultation brought diverse business networks together to explore how the private sector can support resilience of children and their families

United Nations Children's Fund (Global Headquarters, New York)