Mitigation of Natural Hazards and Disasters: International Perspectives [electronic resource] / edited by C. Emdad Haque.

Adaptation Options Strategies for Hazards and Vulnerability Mitigation: An International Perspective -- Risk Mitigation Strategies for Tornadoes in the Context of Climate Change and Development -- Mitigation of the Impact of Tropical Cyclones in Northern Australia Through Community Capacity Enhancement -- Improving Access to Water Resources Through Rainwater Harvesting as a Mitigation Measure: The Case of the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region -- The Value of Public Participation During a Hazard, Impact, Risk and Vulnerability (HIRV) Analysis -- 'Benefit-Cost Analysis' of Disaster Mitigation: Application as a Policy and Decision-Making Tool -- Mitigating Natural Disasters: The Role of Eco-Ethics -- Sustainable Development and Hazards Mitigation in the United States: Disasters by Design Revisited -- Canada's Experience in Developing a National Disaster Mitigation Strategy: a Deliberative Dialogue Approach -- An Analysis of Risk Mitigation Considerations in Regional Reconstruction in Turkey: The Missing Link -- Climate Change and Natural Hazards in Northern Canada: Integrating Indigenous Perspectives with Government Policy.

This book examines the aspects of prevention, mitigation, and management of environmental hazards and disasters from an international perspective. In light of the recent debate on climate change and the possible effects of such a change upon increasing frequency and magnitude of extreme environmental events, this publication overviews various policy and response discourse. Several case studies, from various countries and world regions, depicting recent experience in mitigation policy and program development and implementation and establishing interlinks between vulnerability and mitigation are presented to provide further insights. This book is primarily intended for academics, policy makers, professionals, and practitioners in hazards reduction activities who look for a better understanding of the complex and dynamic aspects of nature and society. This topic is a well established issue among most sectors of our society since the costs, both human and socioeconomic, of extreme environmental events have been rising astronomically, and significant vulnerabilities exist throughout the world. Without effective prevention and mitigation, these costs are likely to continue to increase, enhancing the uncertainty of societal progress. The knowledge and information embodied in this volume will be of immense benefit to anyone working in this field. Reprinted from: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2005