5 Ways You can Contribute to Reduce the Impact of Natural Disaster
Natural disasters are calamitous incidences caused by the effects of nature, such as water, soil, wind, and are not human driven, yet produces effects of great loss to human life or destruction of the natural environment, infrastructure or livelihoods. Natural disasters can be caused by weather and climate events, internal disruptions within the earth or without and it is dependent on the various geological and geographical factors.
International day for Natural Disaster Reduction was first initiated on December 22, 1989, during the UN General Assembly. This event was to be observed annually during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, 1990-1999. On December 20, 2001, the assembly decided to maintain the observance to promote a global culture of natural disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. This year it falls on the 9th of October 2024.
Every year Natural disasters such as heavy floods, earthquakes, droughts, cyclones, hurricanes and many others cause catastrophic effects across the globe, from lost of lives, properties, livelihoods and much more. The effects of some of these incidents have not only affected the immediate communities but the state or country, leading to severe economic loses. The UN acknowledges the importance of education, training, and information in relation to natural disaster risk management. For this reason, CEDAR-COM is investing time and resources in different communities to educate, train and inform communities on effective ways to help people become better equipped in avoiding and/or withstanding natural disasters.
How do I contribute to reducing the impact of natural disasters?
The world of today has become a global village and as time goes by, we see that our life patterns and choices have an effect not just on us but on our communities, society, nation and world at large. As they say, little drops of water make an ocean. Below are a few ways you can participate in to help reduce natural disasters around you.
1. Reforestation and Afforestation:
Did you know that for every tree you cut down you reduce the amount of oxygen that will be released into the atmosphere and increase the amount of carbon dioxide which in turn affects the atmospheric temperatures, water cycle, wind patterns and much more? Same way by planting more trees you are contributing in your own little way to increase the amount of carbon dioxide that will be absorbed, reduce atmospheric temperatures, reduce soil erosion and increase soil fertility, decrease the intensity of winds as the trees help to break the winds and much more. So, make a conscious decision today to plant more trees around your house, farms and communities.
2. Planting of green lawns:
Did you know that for every land space paved you reduce the amount of water that can be absorbed by the soil and in tun increase runoff, which leads to increased soil erosion, road destruction, flooding and decreased ground water levels over time? Start today by deciding to have a more naturally green environment around you, plant “carpet grass” around your house and only pave walking paths, that way you help to reduce the amount of runoff during rainfalls.
3. Build disaster-resistant houses and communities:
Before you build your house do your due diligence. Ensure you ask questions about common happenings in the area, the kind of disasters its vulnerable to, and if it isn’t a safe place ensure you build in accordance to the stipulated outlines designed for such an environment. Your focus shouldn’t be on building your dream house, but rather building a safe and secure house. If your house is built already ensure you get advice on how to fortify it for possible future disasters.
4. Proper waste disposal:
Waste is a major problem in our society of today, we find waste dumps around quarters, streets and even highways. It’s a common practice nowadays to have people dump their household or commercial waste into the drainage systems or the runoff water when rain is falling for the rain to help transport it. Households and commercial places no longer practice waste separation and proper disposal. The improper disposal of rains can help increase the impact of flooding in certain communities as the waste especially the plastics tend to block drainage systems, intensifying the level of flooding in certain environments. Some of these wastes are dumped into rivers which also causes blockages along certain parts of the rivers which over time can lead to flooding of its surrounding environments.
5. Be informed:
Wisdom, they say is profitable to direct and a wise man is whom is informed and plans early. Learn to source the right information, avoid street advices, seek to know, visit the right places and ask the questions. Knowledge is indeed wealth and can save not just your life but hundreds of those around you. Follow weather forecasts, understanding the new changes in climatic conditions around your environment, your country and the globe as a whole.
In as much as natural disasters will happen with or without our contributions, we as humans are most directly affected when it does around our habitats, thus we must be intentional about playing our own little part in reducing the impacts of these natural happenings to us, our infrastructures and communities by actively participating in keeping our environment and the Earth at a good state always. So, we charge you in your on little way to take a personal commitment to plant more trees around the boundaries of that farm, plant more shrubs around your compound, break your pavements and plant green grass, plant an orchard around your house, plant more trees along your streets and dispose of your waste properly. We will love to hear how you plan on taking action and why not share with us your successes as times goes by.
Photo Credits: Google