Sustainable Development and Disaster Risk Reduction

The book explores the linkages between natural disasters and sustainable development at the global, regional and national levels. Disasters and development are closely related, yet the disciplinary silos prevail and there is little communication and cooperation between the disaster management, environment and development communities. One catastrophic event, such as an earthquake, tsunami or a cyclone, can destroy infrastructure, people s lives and livelihoods and set back development. Similarly, slow onset disasters often associated with global climate change pose threats to development, livelihoods, food security and long-term sustainable development. This book is uniquely aimed at bridging the gap between the environmental, development and disaster management communities. It will trace the evolution of concepts and practice and highlight the linkages between natural disasters and sustainable development in key sectors, including food security, health, and water. The book will also include case studies from the field highlighting the complex issues that challenge sustainable development and disaster risk management in practice. It will draw policy conclusions for the global community based on state-of-the art knowledge from research and practice. The primary target groups for the book are researchers, including graduate students, in the fields of environment and sustainable development, geography, disaster risk reduction, and climate change studies. The second target group is practitioners and policy-makers working in national and international organizations, private sector and civil society.