Building communities resilient to natural disasters

In a year of devastating tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes, a new book addresses the challenges of reducing the risk of natural disasters in the face of population growth and climatic changes. Disaster Reduction: Living in Harmony with Nature sets disaster mitigation within the greater context of what is happening on the planet worldwide.

A presentation by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) serves as the book's introduction. Director of the United Nations Inter-Agency Secretariat for ISDR Sálvano Briceño writes, "The planet cannot afford the increasing costs and losses due to disasters, and while it is not always possible to anticipate natural hazards, we can at least ensure that we build our communities to be a resilient as possible."

Director Briceño sets the tone of the book by triggering the reader to ask, "How do we build our communities to be resilient?" Author Julio Kuroiwa sets out to answer that question at both the macro and micro levels. He begins with a look at planet Earth as a whole and narrows his discussion down to specific examples of devastation. Kuroiwa addresses economic issues, social impact, government responsibility and the global impact of local and national decisions affecting the environment.

Disaster Reduction: Living in Harmony with Nature is an educational tool that will serve many audiences. Government officials responsible for emergency management can learn from the book's disaster examples and mitigation tables. College classrooms will gain from its case studies and can use the book as a trigger for discussions on economics, population growth and public policy. Environmentalists will appreciate the direct analysis of soil degradation, acid rain and green house gases.

Covering disaster reduction, from flooding, landsides and forest fires, to lessons learned from September 11, 2001 and other man-made disasters, Disaster Reduction: Living in Harmony with Nature sets the focus on education, prevention and change.

To purchase Disaster Reduction: Living in Harmony with Nature, visit the ICC Store, or call 1-800-786-4452. Price: $71 (ICC members), $79 (nonmembers).

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

EDITORS' NOTE: A graphic of the book cover is available here.