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Risky Links
- Smartphone-powered earthquake detectors could help direct first responders in an emergency – One of the principal challenges of early response to an earthquake is rapid damage assessment. Currently seismologists use accelerometers, computer models and ‘did you feel it‘ websites to understand shaking intensity which feeds in to models like PAGER to estimate impact. Scientists here in Italy have published a new study proposing that the accelerometers in smartphones and tablets could be used to get a more accurate map of earthquake intensities and damage.
- The WDR 2014 and its Relevance for Disaster Risk Management – The World Bank’s GFDRR takes a look at the World Bank’s 2014 World Development Report titled “Risk and Opportunity: Managing Risk for Development”. This is the latest in a string of reports increasing the focus on risk management within development. The 2014 GDR argues that improved risk management can better protect development outcomes and create new opportunities to eradicate poverty. This is an important report in the lead up to the post 2015 development agenda which I expect to have a much greater focus on disaster reduction and risk management than the 2000 Millennium Development Goals.
- Video games and law of war – In this post the ICRC argues for greater implementation of the laws of war in realistic war simulation games (like Call of Duty, Medal of Honor and America’s Army). They note that they are working with some video game developers to implement this.
- Fukushima’s Worst-Case Scenarios – In this lengthy piece on slate.com the worst-case scenarios developed by scientists in the US and Japan during the early days of the Fukushima disaster are put under the microscope. Unsurprisingly the media’s treatment of these scenarios at the time didn’t accurately communicate them.
Casus Calamitas 