From understanding disaster risk to risk reduction solutions

Anthropogenic global change is intensifying natural hazards necessitating urgent, just and sustainable solutions that mitigate risks without compromising the Earth systems crucial for human survival. Advances in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) have highlighted the pivotal role of social systems in generating risk, encompassing economic, political and cultural inequities, racial, gender-based and religious discrimination, and widespread landscape alterations. The challenge lies in helping communities to develop DRR solutions without further jeopardizing biodiversity, water systems, atmosphere, and landscapes essential for health and safety. This paper introduces a new DRR solutions framework that recommends a “Transdisciplinary Conductor” to assist communities, policymakers, engineers, healthcare providers and investors to work with Earth system and Social/Ecological/Technical system scientists to reduce risks based on a more comprehensive understanding of how rapidly changing Earth systems and complex societies affect human health and well-being as well as disaster damages and losses. This community centered, integrated approach aims to foster more sustainable, equitable and just solutions in the face of escalating global environmental challenges.

Duke Scholars

Author Anjni Patel Joiner Emergency Medicine

Author Brian G McAdoo Earth and Climate Sciences

Author Aaliya Aaliya