Disaster expert warns ‘be prepared’

Charles Darwin University: While there is a grave warning in the worldwide escalation of natural disasters over the past 20 years, a disaster expert believes there is another message apparent – one of humanity’s adaptation to climate change.

For the past two decades Associate Professor of Geography in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at James Cook University David King has made natural disasters his business. He is one of a number of experts who will speak at this year’s Charles Darwin Symposium, entitled “Living with climate change: at home, at work, at play”, to be held from 12 to 14 October at the Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin.

...Dr King will explain the implications of his research for policy makers, local governments and communities, and how we might measure and monitor the existence, the strengths and effectiveness of community resilience and adaptation to climate change.

...He said that while the occurrence of natural disasters had indeed risen, it was the amount of media interest recent events had attracted that had become a real factor in the impact of disasters. “Disasters are always happening. What’s different now is the amount of media coverage,” he said. “In 2011, the media interest is greater, the human population is greater and more people are affected.

“What we need to focus on is how planning has to adapt to pay more attention to disasters and climate changes,” he said.

Cyclone Yasi, February 2, 2011