Bob Kopp reposted this
Postdoctoral Scholar • Climate Change, Disaster Science, Emergency Management
This week, the region of #EmiliaRomagna, in #Italy, received record rainfall. Some areas received half their annual rainfall in only 36 hours. We lost 12 lives, and thousands of people lost their homes. The Guardia Costiera Italiana (Italian Coast Guard) conducted search and rescue operations and the Croce Rossa Italiana (Italian Red Cross) is tirelessly managing the relief machine to provide shelter and food/non-food items to those in need. I am Italian, I am a disasters management expert, and it breaks my heart. It does, because hydrological instability in Italy is a well-known phenomenon that caused countless flooding over the past few decades. With climate change, the frequency and magnitude of these events are increasing and strengthening. If we continue to ignore what scientists have kept saying from decades about climate change, this will continue to happen. If we continue to plan for emergency management without including at the table communities, local administrations, and experts, this will continue to happen. But especially, if we continue to focus on the ‘response’ rather than everything that comes before, this will continue to happen. The number of people who are saying “Avrebbero dovuto avvertirci (they should have alerted us)” are countless. Because yes, without focusing on preparedness for these events, if we do not develop an effective early warning system in Italy, this will continue to happen. Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri • Italian Civil Protection Department • Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica Picture: The City of Lugo on Thursday, 18 May 2023. Emanuele Valeri/EPA, via Shutterstock