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The Role of Ecosystems in Disaster Risk Reduction

Book · June 2013

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Fabrice G. Renaud
University of Glasgow
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T
he increasing worldwide trend in disasters, which will be aggravated by global environmental
change (including climate change), urges us to implement new approaches to hazard

MARISOL ESTRELLA
KAREN SUDMEIER-RIEUX
FABRICE G. RENAUD
mitigation, as well as exposure and vulnerability reduction. We are, however, faced with hard
choices about hazard mitigation: should we continue to build dykes and walls to protect
ourselves against floods and coastal hazards – though we have seen the limits of these – or

The Role
should we consider alternative, ecosystem-based solutions? Ecosystem management is a well-tested
solution to sustainable development that is being revisited because of its inherent “win–win” and “no-
regrets” appeal to address rising disaster and climate change issues. It is one of the few approaches that
can impact all elements of the disaster risk equation – mitigating hazards, reducing exposure, reducing
vulnerabilities and increasing the resilience of exposed communities. Yet, the uptake of ecosystem-

of Ecosystems
based approaches for disaster risk reduction (DRR) is slow despite some very good examples of success
stories. Reasons for this are multiple: ecosystem management is rarely considered as part of the portfolio
of DRR solutions because the environmental and disaster management communities typically work
independently from each other; its contribution to DRR is highly undervalued compared to engineered
solutions and thus not attributed appropriate budget allocations; finally, there are poor science–policy

in Disaster
interactions on ecosystem-based DRR, which have led to unclear and sometimes contradictory scientific
information on the role of ecosystems for DRR.
The aim of this book is to provide an overview of knowledge and practice in this multidisciplinary
field of ecosystem management and DRR. It contains 17 chapters written by 58 professionals from the
science and practice communities around the world, representing state-of-the-art knowledge, practices

Risk Reduction

in Disaster Risk Reduction

The Role of Ecosystems
and perspectives on the topic. It will serve as a basis to encourage and further develop dialogues between
scientists, practitioners, policymakers and development planners.

FABRICE G. RENAUD is Head of Section at the Institute for Environment and Human Security
(UNU-EHS), United Nations University.
KAREN SUDMEIER-RIEUX is a Researcher at the Center for Research of the Terrestrial
Environment, University of Lausanne, and member of the International Union for Conservation of
Nature’s Commission on Ecosystem Management.
MARISOL ESTRELLA is the Programme Coordinator of the Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, Post-
Conflict and Disaster Management Branch, United Nations Environment Programme.

“An extremely timely and comprehensive publication, a game-changer in the approach to natural EDITED BY FABRICE G. RENAUD,
resource management for sustainable development – and for climate and disaster resilience.”
PRASHANT SINGH, Team Leader, Partnerships and Governance, Global Facility for
KAREN SUDMEIER-RIEUX AND MARISOL ESTRELLA
Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), The World Bank

“This rich collection of research findings and tested practices takes us around the globe and gives readers
an array of methods and instruments to help overcome the sector and disciplinary stovepipes. Those
looking for the state of the art in ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction now know where to go.”
JOHAN SCHAAR, Co-Director, Vulnerability and Adaptation Initiative,
World Resources Institute

“This book brings together the world’s experts on how the natural environment has evolved tools to buffer
against natural hazards in real, sustainable and cost-effective ways. It is a valuable contribution showing
how environmentally and economically sustainable solutions can provide real benefits to exposed
populations and resources.”
BRIAN G. MCADOO, College Rector, Professor of Science, Yale-NUS College

US$40.00

United Nations W I T H A F O R E W O R D B Y M A R G A R E TA WA H L S T R Ö M
University Press
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