Suchergebnisse

Europeans are taking the risks presented by climate change seriously, and responding. Sixth in a series on climate adaptation around the world.

The existing implementation gap currently dividing the policy domains of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), can be attributed to institutional barriers; diverging political priorities; inter-sectoral misperceptions and miscommunication; unequal funding sources and varying operational timescales at national, European and international levels. A recurring question raised amongst strategic policy makers tackling climate-related risks in both sectors asks: Can reducing these divergences and seeking new streamlining synergies assist in closing the implementation gap and deliver better integrated Disaster Risk Management (DRM) policies? Specifically, can such synergising action extend to strengthening of trans-border and trans-disciplinary resilience? The ESPREssO Project explores these questions through a two-year stakeholder engagement process-collecting opinion from European CCA and DRR stakeholders, using novel methods such as crisis simulation exercises (serious games), questionnaires, interviews and international Think Tanks to identify mutual barriers and recommend ways both sectors can overcome them. We prioritise the various solutions with stakeholders, drawing on international and intersectoral CCA and DRR perspectives to refine a set of key recommendations for synergising action. Results prioritise the importance of clear communication, maintaining political support and inclusion of the currently under-utilised private sector in positively establishing closer cooperation between CCA and DRR. The benefits of strengthening CCA-DRR inter-sectoral links are explored as essential pathways for better-informing hazard mitigation planning under a changing global climate and in aligning localised and strategic efforts. The emphasis is on working in support of each other, avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort and harmonising competing activities. ; ISSN:2212-4209

International audience ; The ESPREssO project (funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under Grant Agreement No. 700342) prioritises the need for overcoming barriers to disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Europe, with cross-border crisis management identified as one of its three central challenges. In this paper, we present a synthesis of the different legal, policy and scientific approaches to DRR in France, Germany and Switzerland, through work carried out for the ESPREssO project on the basis of stakeholder interviews and an analysis of legal and policy references. A comparison of these three differing DRR strategies is then carried out, focusing specifically on resulting impacts for cross-border crisis management, capitalizing on lessons learned from the tri-national border region Upper Rhine Valley to complete the analysis.

International audience ; The ESPREssO project (funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under Grant Agreement No. 700342) prioritises the need for overcoming barriers to disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Europe, with cross-border crisis management identified as one of its three central challenges. In this paper, we present a synthesis of the different legal, policy and scientific approaches to DRR in France, Germany and Switzerland, through work carried out for the ESPREssO project on the basis of stakeholder interviews and an analysis of legal and policy references. A comparison of these three differing DRR strategies is then carried out, focusing specifically on resulting impacts for cross-border crisis management, capitalizing on lessons learned from the tri-national border region Upper Rhine Valley to complete the analysis.

The ESPREssO Project set out to propose ways to inform more coherent national and European approaches on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). A critical step in this process is the identification of existing barriers to effective collaboration, finding new areas of common ground, and ways to enhance co-operation with regards to CCA and DRR policymaking in Europe. This is particularly important considering the potential relationships between CCA and DRR activities at the regional, national, European and global levels. Serious games have emerged as a valuable tool to communicate information and catalyse discussion in many policy arenas. The games have the power to inform, mainly by exposing strengths and weaknesses of a system but not necessarily create policy choices. This paper presents the development process and rationale behind creation of RAMSETE I, a serious game developed by and for the ESPREssO Project to elicit information from its stakeholders in aiming to inform synergies between CCA and DRR sectors. The results assess its application as a device to frame discussions during an international Think Tank workshop. The serious game focused on three particular aspects of CCA and DRR policy interactions: (1) separation of administrative responsibilities and the use of different terminology, (2) the ongoing competition for funding and political will as well as (3) difficulties regarding the top-down implementation of policies. The rules and design process are presented briefly, before going in-depth into the information gleaned during its application in the workshop. ; ISSN:2212-4209

Natural hazards and climate-related disasters disregard political borders, where additional barriers can complicate mitigation, response and recovery efforts within and between the sectors of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The ESPREssO Project (Enhancing Synergies for Disaster Prevention in the European Union) aims to improve management of transboundary disasters by encouraging closer synergies between the CCA and DRR communities. Using targeted stakeholder interviews, questionnaires, Think Tank discussions and purpose-built serious games, ESPREssO draws on both CCA and DRR stakeholder experiences and informed perspectives in order to identify current gaps. Set within a fictitious border zone, ESPREssO's RAMSETE II serious game challenges CCA and DRR stakeholders in making coordinated decisions before, during and after a simulated disaster, in protection of population and critical infrastructure. Results highlight the essential role of local governance mechanisms as the sharp end of the policy wedge, with current examples of proactivity that require to be championed and supported at national level in order to thrive. These good practice examples reflect the fact that transboundary settings, despite their challenges, act as fertile ground for mutual growth, offering opportunities for CCA and DRR communities to find innovative ways to cooperate and unite in developing synergies and strengthening their mutual efforts towards resilience. Stakeholders emphasise a need to invest more resources in informal cooperation and call on policy makers to recognise that each border zone raises its own unique set of complex challenges that requires flexibility and special consideration by transboundary authorities in management of disasters. ; ISSN:2212-4209

This qualitative study explores the benefits and risks associated with living with companion animals during the transition to adulthood among 117 sexual and gender minority (SGM) emerging adults living in the U.S. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using template analysis. Thematic analysis identified several risks (caregiver burden, pets as barriers to relationships, animal-related psychological stress) and benefits (pets as a buffer to stress, pets as social capital, pets as a coping mechanism for mental health, and pets as identity and purpose) associated with living with pets. Our results suggest that pets may influence SGM emerging adult identity development and related wellbeing by facilitating feelings of belongingness, positive self-regard, and purpose; promoting social interactions; and providing emotional support and comfort to cope with stress. However, pets, and their associated care, were also a source of caregiving burden and psychological stress. We discuss practice and policy implications and directions for future research.