RESUMO
Since 2001, the United Nations has designated 20 June as World Refugee Day. It seeks to raise awareness of refugees-currently estimated to be more than 114 million persons internally displaced, exiled, or on the move-and the often-harsh conditions they confront around the world. Among them are scientists, giving the scientific community a special responsibility to protect and support these colleagues. It is not just scientists and their families whose lives are disrupted, but science as an enterprise as well.
RESUMO
Disaster science examines the causes, behaviors, and consequences of hazardous events, from hurricanes to wildfires, flooding, and major industrial accidents. Individual disasters are recurring more frequently and with greater intensity. Recurrent acute disasters (RADs) are sequential disasters that affect a specific locale over time. While disaster science has matured in recent years, understanding of the distinctive characteristics of RADs varies by discipline and lacks predictive power. A theoretical framework is presented by borrowing in part from mathematical topology and disturbance ecology. The recurrent disasters affecting Puerto Rico 2017-2020 are examined as a case example to test the framework. A key variable is the complex characteristics of legacy conditions created by one disaster that influence the effects of subsequent disasters. Substantial improvements in disaster response, recovery, and preparedness can be gained by adopting a RAD-based approach.
RESUMO
The likelihood that crisis events will increase in number and severity is significant. Science has served, and will continue to serve, to address crisis events, whether natural or human attributed. Science during crisis has distinctive requirements. A call to action for science during crisis has been made, and described here are recommendations for response by scientists, including those in disciplines associated with GeoHealth.