Experts from the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Central American Regional Committee for Water Resources (CCRH) have analyzed the experience of tropical storm Stan in the Central American region.
Tropical storms in 2006 are expected to be even stronger than in 2005, the year hurricane Katrina and storm Stan wreaked havoc on the Mesoamerican region. This was the message of Max Campo, Executive Secretary of the Central American Regional Committee for Water Resources (CRRH) during a session of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) at the 4 th World Water Forum.
The experience of the region with hurricanes and storms in 2005 raised new concerns of climatic vulnerability and risk management. Both topics have for the first time been included in the programme of the Forum. Mr. Henk van Schaik, the leader of the climatic variability theme at the forum, congratulated the Union for its efforts in promoting the issue.
During the session, experts of the World Conservation Union shared information, photos and experiences from the tropical storm Stan that hit Mesoamerica and affected million of people in the region, causing billions of dollars in damages.
Warning systems are a necessity
Both the Union and CCRH stressed the necessity to put in place early warning systems to limit loss of life and property caused by extreme natural events in the region.
Campos explained that there are very advanced information systems that enable to monitor climatic and weather changes very precisely. The meteorologist explained that what is lacking is the ability to bring this information to people. The Union has a lot of experience in working with communities. This could provide a wide range of opportunities for collaboration to promote improved risk management in the region.
Campos emphasized that “We must integrate existing knowledge and technology in a systematic way so that citizens, with or without internet access, can receive information on time so that people and their families can escape from catastrophic events.”
For more information:
The World Conservation Union http://www.iucn.org
Please also see:
ACT NOW TO STOP WAVE OF EXTINCTIONS
The world’s governments have committed themselves to slow down the current loss of biodiversity by 2010. Now is the time to move to action, says the World Conservation Union to the 8th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP8) http://www.iucn.org/en/news/archive/2006/03/20_pr_cbd.htm
IUCN Global Marine Programme http://www.iucn.org/themes/marine/
Tropical storms in 2006 are expected to be even stronger than in 2005, the year hurricane Katrina and storm Stan wreaked havoc on the Mesoamerican region. This was the message of Max Campo, Executive Secretary of the Central American Regional Committee for Water Resources (CRRH) during a session of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) at the 4 th World Water Forum.
The experience of the region with hurricanes and storms in 2005 raised new concerns of climatic vulnerability and risk management. Both topics have for the first time been included in the programme of the Forum. Mr. Henk van Schaik, the leader of the climatic variability theme at the forum, congratulated the Union for its efforts in promoting the issue.
During the session, experts of the World Conservation Union shared information, photos and experiences from the tropical storm Stan that hit Mesoamerica and affected million of people in the region, causing billions of dollars in damages.
Warning systems are a necessity
Both the Union and CCRH stressed the necessity to put in place early warning systems to limit loss of life and property caused by extreme natural events in the region.
Campos explained that there are very advanced information systems that enable to monitor climatic and weather changes very precisely. The meteorologist explained that what is lacking is the ability to bring this information to people. The Union has a lot of experience in working with communities. This could provide a wide range of opportunities for collaboration to promote improved risk management in the region.
Campos emphasized that “We must integrate existing knowledge and technology in a systematic way so that citizens, with or without internet access, can receive information on time so that people and their families can escape from catastrophic events.”
For more information:
The World Conservation Union http://www.iucn.org
Please also see:
ACT NOW TO STOP WAVE OF EXTINCTIONS
The world’s governments have committed themselves to slow down the current loss of biodiversity by 2010. Now is the time to move to action, says the World Conservation Union to the 8th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP8) http://www.iucn.org/en/news/archive/2006/03/20_pr_cbd.htm
IUCN Global Marine Programme http://www.iucn.org/themes/marine/