1.2. Introduction to Risk Perception and Preparedness

We already know that we have many hazards including natural hazards okay, like flood or kind of volcano but also we have many other hazards which are not directly related to disasters but let us look at in a broader perspective, we could have smoking or GMO.

In this chunk, the focus is on the various types of hazards that people face. Hazards can be broadly categorized into natural hazards, such as floods and volcanic eruptions, which are directly related to environmental events. However, there are also other risks, such as smoking or genetically modified organisms (GMO), that people should be aware of, even though they may not be tied to immediate, catastrophic disasters. Understanding these hazards is critical as they inform the types of risks individuals and communities must prepare for.

Think of it like a toolbox. Just as a toolbox contains various tools for different tasks, there are different types of hazards in our lives. Natural hazards are like hammers and saws – tools we often think about when building or repairing something (or in this case, preparing for disasters). On the other hand, health hazards like smoking or GMO are like the lesser-known tools in the box. They might not be for immediate use, but knowing about them helps you ensure a safer and healthier environment overall.

Now, looking at disaster risk, particularly in Asia that is for sure that Asia is one of the hotspot, it is one of the most disaster-prone region in the world. No other region is that much affected by disaster; natural disasters particularly, well you consider earthquake, you consider volcanic eruption, flood; Asia is the most vulnerable, most disaster-prone region in the world.

This chunk emphasizes the heightened risk of disasters in Asia. It highlights that this region experiences a higher frequency and intensity of natural disasters compared to others worldwide. The mention of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods indicates the urgent need for risk awareness and preparedness in these vulnerable areas. By recognizing the frequency and types of disasters most likely to occur, communities can better prepare and mitigate their effects.

Imagine living in an area prone to wildfires. If you know that wildfires are common in your region, you're more likely to invest in fire-resistant landscaping and create an emergency plan. Similarly, stakeholders in Asian countries must adopt preparedness practices because they are fully aware of the risk of disasters like earthquakes or floods hitting their communities.

One more thing is that urban population; urban population in the world is dominating. In 1950, it was only 29.7% of total population was urban population, only 29.7. In 2030, it is considered that it will grow as 61.1% that means more and more people are living in urban areas and they are exposed to various kind of disasters.

This chunk discusses the trend of urbanization, noting the dramatic increase in the urban population from approximately 30% in 1950 to an estimated 61% by 2030. As more people move into urban areas, they inevitably face greater exposure to various types of disasters. Urban settings can amplify risk due to factors such as population density, inadequate infrastructure, and limited emergency response resources, highlighting the need for effective risk management and preparedness in cities.

Consider a bustling, dense city like New York. With so many people living in close quarters, if a natural disaster were to occur, the consequences could be severe – from evacuation challenges to overwhelming emergency services. Just like how we should plan to have enough fire exits in a crowded building, urban planners and communities must think ahead to prepare for disasters that can affect dense populations.

Also, not only the disasters are increasing, but economic loss and social impacts due to disasters are increasing, here is one you can look at economic losses or insured losses with trend from 1950’s to 2000 that is for sure that it is increasing.

This chunk conveys that the frequency of disasters is not the only concern; the economic losses and social impacts they trigger are also on the rise. Data from 1950 to 2000 shows a trend of increasing economic damages and insured losses, indicating that as disasters become more frequent and severe, their financial toll on communities and nations grows as well. This creates a pressing emphasis on the need for risk preparedness to minimize future economic hardships.

Think of insurance for a car. The more accidents happen, the higher your premiums can become. Similarly, as natural disasters increase and lead to significant financial losses, communities and governments face mounting costs that affect budgets and resources, requiring them to prioritize policies and practices that reduce risks and their financial impacts.

But the most important finding is that structural measures; engineering measures are important, but not enough that is for sure, you can build dikes, bridges, dams but you can make a lot of things like that structural measures, but they are very necessary for infrastructure development to protect and mitigate disasters. But that is not enough; the one great example is 2011 Japan or 1995 Kobe earthquake.

In this chunk, the discussion focuses on structural measures—engineering solutions like dams and bridges designed to prevent or mitigate disasters. However, the speaker points out that while such measures are critical, they alone are insufficient for ensuring community resilience. Citing examples such as the 2011 Japan earthquake, it’s clear that even with substantial infrastructure in place, the impact of natural disasters can still be devastating, emphasizing the importance of non-structural preparedness measures and community engagement.

Imagine building a strong dam to control river flooding. While it can significantly reduce flooding risks, it's like assuming that the dam can completely prevent flooding. If too much rain falls too quickly, the dam might be overwhelmed. Similarly, while structural measures are vital, people’s awareness, preparedness, and adaptability play equally crucial roles in disaster resilience.

So, what do we need to do then? we need to make people, increase people's risk awareness, we need to promote preparedness, small thing that if there is a big disaster, is the tsunami you have to evacuate, no other option.

This final chunk introduces actionable steps toward enhancing disaster preparedness. The speaker argues for increasing public risk awareness and preparedness among communities. Specific measures include educating people on evacuation processes during disasters, like tsunamis, which requires immediate action. By cultivating a culture of preparedness, communities can better safeguard themselves against potential disasters.

Think about a fire drill at school. When students participate in these drills, they learn what to do in case of a real fire. Similarly, teaching communities about evacuation routes during a tsunami can save lives. If everyone knows where to go and what to do, they can react quickly, making the community a safer place.

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