ABSTRACT
Natural hazards are increasingly complex, multifaceted, influenced by anthropogenic activities, and dynamically interconnected. Current measures of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation do not sufficiently address this growing complexity. As a result, their implementation often: i) generates new risks (side effects); ii) backfires on the long term (unintended consequences); or iii) benefits some social groups at the expense of others (inequity). In this seminar, I unpack the complexity of disasters in today’s human-dominated, rapidly changing environments. In particular, I discuss real-world case studies and address critical dimensions of complexity. They include changes in policy agendas (multiple risks, interests and goals that keep altering key priorities), as well as uncertainty in data and models supporting the decision-making process. These case studies also enable to critically discuss potentials and drawbacks of disaster narratives and scientists’ roles in engaging with the policy making process. Narratives include blaming nature vs. blaming the socio-economic system, while scientists’ roles comprise those of pure researchers vs. advocates. The talk concludes with key steps to address complexities in the study of natural hazards to better inform decision-making processes in the context of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
SHORT BIO
Giuliano Di Baldassarre is a professor of hydrology and environmental analysis at the Department of Earth Sciences of Uppsala University, as well as the director of the Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS). His research deals with risks, crises or disasters resulting from the interplay between water, environment and society. His multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary work combines qualitative and quantitative methods to advance fundamental science and inform policy in the context of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and sustainability.
Giuliano Di Baldassarre has been the recipient of international honours, including the Plinius Medal by the European Geosciences Union (EGU), the Witherspoon Lecture by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). He was one of the leaders (also serving as one of the Chairs) of Panta Rhei-Everything Flows, the global research initiative on water-society interactions of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences(IAHS). He published more than 150 papers in peer-reviewed journals, including multidisciplinary ones such as Nature Sustainability, Science Advances, Earth's Future and Nature.