Ban Ki-Moon calls for spurred disaster reduction efforts

News Blaze, via the United Nations: A major boost in efforts to reduce the fall-out from natural disasters is vital as climate change ushers in harsher weather extremes, from fiercer droughts to more devastating flooding and landslides, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned today. "Without concerted action, we could see natural catastrophes on an unprecedented scale, which could even become threats to international security and inter-State relations," Mr. Ban told the ministerial meeting on reducing disaster risks in a changing climate, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

He noted that in the last few weeks alone, massive flooding hit northern India and tropical storms Gustav, Hanna and Ike caused extensive damage in the Gulf of Mexico, affecting millions of people. But prudent policies and well-informed community action, such as improved river management, early warning and evacuation, food security, wise land-use planning and the enforcement of sound building codes, can save lives and avert damage.

"The good news is that a natural hazard does not automatically have to lead to a disaster," Mr. Ban said. "Countries such as Bangladesh, Cuba, Jamaica, Madagascar and the Philippines have shown that good building designs, proper land-use planning, public education, community preparedness and effective early warning systems can reduce the impact of severe weather events."…

A pre-UN shot of Ban Ki-Moon, Wikimedia Commons