The Multi-Hazards Podcast

Multi-Hazard early warning systems for potential disasters can mean the difference between life and death for local residents. Dr. Bapon Fakhruddin, an expert who has been involved with implementing these early warning systems in more than 25 countries, is on the Multi-Hazards podcast today to tell us all about it. This is an essential part of reducing disaster risk, adapting to climate change and ultimately keeping communities safe. Have a listen!

Study Guide here (on left where it says "PDF"):

Topics include: * Why has Bangladesh been important in the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) field? * How did Dr. Bapon Fakhruddin get involved in DRR? * Why should Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) be "merged" in many ways? * What's the global risk assessment framework (GRAF)? * Emergency or early warning systems in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): What are these? And why are they so complex? * What does "multi-hazards" mean? How do multi-hazards relate to warning systems? * What is the Sendai Framework and what's its recommendation of "people-centred multi-hazards early warning systems? * What are the eras of early warning system development? * What are early warning systems connection to the military? * What's the newest definition of "hazard" from the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction office and the International Science Council? * What does the 1981 punk song by The Clash "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" have to do with early warning systems? * Risk communication: What's this in a nutshell? And how does this relate to emergency warning systems? * Why are tsunami warning systems so expensive? * After an earthquake, how many minutes will it take before a tsunami comes? * Why is "indigenous knowledge" so important for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and science in general? * Why does Dr. Bapon Fakhruddin appreciate indigenous cultures so much? * Why are people sometimes reluctant to heed early warning signals? * Why is trust in authorities a big factor for early warning signals and risk communication?

Dr. Bapon Fakhruddin's Bio:

Dr. Fakhruddin is an expert climate change risk assessor with 19 years’ global experience in working on disaster risk and climate resilience projects. This experience is a major advantage in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy development. His key areas of expertise are climate and multi-hazard risk assessment, disaster preparedness, early warning and emergency response and coastal community resilience. He has designed climate change and disaster response projects in more than 25 countries in Asia and the Pacific.

During his career, Dr. Fakhruddin helped to design major international multi-hazard early warning systems for floods, cyclones and tsunamis to save lives and stop property damage. His most high profile work has been developing multi-hazard warning systems including a tsunami warning system for Indian Ocean countries following the deadliest one in history - the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Dr. Fakhruddin was appointed by the Government of New Zealand to develop a national climate change risk assessment framework.

Dr. Fakhruddin graduated in civil engineering and has a Masters’ in Water Engineering and Management from AIT, Thailand. He has a PGD in Integrated Water Resource Management from Canada’s United Nations University and a PhD in Water Engineering and Management from Italy’s Politecnico di Milano. He is a certified Instructor of Incident Command System (ICS) for disaster response from United States Forest Service (USFS).

Dr. Fakhruddin is currently working as a mentor and supervisor for postgraduate study in disaster risk management in University of Auckland (UoA). He is a Steering Group of the Global Risk Assessment Framework (GRAF) of UNDRR. Co-Chair for the Disaster Loss DATA and Risk Interpretation and Applications (RIA) Working Group of IRDR of ISC/UNDRR. He is also Co-Chair CODATA task group FAIR Data for Disaster Risk Research.

Bio is from LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bapon/

Intro: "Ten Inch Spikes" by Jeremy Korpas on Youtube Audio Library

Outro: "Caribbean Hide & Seek" by Carmen María and Edu Espinal on Youtube Audio Library

Episode Photos:

Tsunami Warning System Electronic sirens: Photo by Telegrafia on Wikimedia Fijian woman: Photo by Giorgia Doglioni on Unsplash Children Playing: Photo by Sasin Tipchai on Pixabay Coastline: Photo by Damon Hall from Pexels Bamfield Tsunami Hazard Zone sign: Photo by Mimigu on Wikimedia Child at Comunidad Wiwinik, Nicaragua: Photo by David Viñuales on Flickr

Wow, another season of Multi-Hazards is over, a new one is beginning! Join podcast host Vin Nelsen as he shares the stories and glories of this wonderful season covering March to July 2021. Have a listen!

Study Guide here, on left where it says "PDF": https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/multi-hazards-podcast-season-4-summary-season-5-intro

Vin Nelsen’s Bio:

Vin is a third generation resident Vancouverite in Canada, with mostly Nordic heritage, living and working on unceded, traditional First Nations territory. He has been running the Multi-Hazards podcast, which focuses on disaster/ risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA) and diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI). So far, since May 2020, he has published 80 episodes averaging over one hour, mostly with wonderful guests from around the world.

Vin's recent education includes Emergency & Security Management (Justice Institute of BC), Climate Risk Management (University of Waterloo), Climate Change Policy & Practice (University of Toronto), Meteorology, Indigenous Studies, Marketing, Cybersecurity, etc. His previous education was a Teaching ESL Diploma (Vancouver Community College), an MA in Cross-Cultural-related Studies (TWU) and a BA: Communication, French (Simon Fraser University).

With a decades long background in non-profit work in immigrant services, Vin has been a program manager, employment counsellor and group facilitator and ESL teacher. Now he is focusing on educating the public in DRR, CCA, anti-racism and diversity from a holistic and practical perspective.

Intro: "Ten Inch Spikes" by Jeremy Korpas on Youtube Audio Library Outro: "Sweetly My Heart" by Asher Fulero on Youtube Audio Library

Episode Photo: By Tarikul Raana from Pexels

Can our response to disasters make things worse? How is it that our attempts to reduce risk or “build back better” mostly exacerbate social inequalities? And what can we do about it? Join Dr. Gonzalo Lizarralde as he shares his new book, Unnatural Disasters: Why Most Responses to Risk and Climate Change Fail but Some Succeed. Have a listen!

Study Guide only at this link at the left labelled "PDF": https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/unnatural-disasters-with-dr-gonzalo-lizarralde

Topics include: * How the pandemic has affected different people, like the elderly, and society as a whole. * How corruption, racism, colonialism, personal vendettas, etc. all create risks. * The importance of finding the root causes of disasters. * Why being labelled "vulnerable" may lead to stigma. * Why being labelled "resilient" may lead to unrealistic hopes about your capabilities. * Beyond disaster statistics there are real humans with pain. * How functioning in three "worlds" (English, French, Spanish) has allowed Gonzalo to identify with people in his work. * How Naomi Klein's theme of disaster capitalism from The Shock Doctrine applies to "unnatural disasters" in the 2020s. * What are the long-term impacts of past imperialism and recent neoliberalism? * How the Global North continues to abuse and colonise the Global South in dealing with disasters. * Why corporate sustainability with the blessing of government is a failure. * How sustainable growth exacerbates the climate crisis and environmental destruction. * How disaster donations often never make it to those affected by disasters. * What are ways we can really benefit vulnerable peoples before, during and after disasters? * Why listening to people on the ground level and ensuring their decision-making power is best.

Dr. Gonzalo Lizarralde’s Bio:

Gonzalo Lizarralde is a professor of architecture at the Université de Montréal, where he holds the Fayolle-Magil Construction Chair in Architecture, Built Environment, and Sustainability. He is the director of the Canadian Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Reconstruction Research Alliance. His books include The Invisible Houses: Rethinking and Designing Low-Cost Housing in Developing Countries (2014). Gonzalo’s latest book, Unnatural Disasters: Why Most Responses to Risk and Climate Change Fail but Some Succeed, was published by Columbia University Press in 2021. LINK: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/unnatural-disasters/9780231198103#

Description of his new book, Unnatural Disasters:

Storms, floods, fires, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other disasters seem not only more frequent but also closer to home. As the world faces this onslaught, we have placed our faith in “sustainable development,” which promises that we can survive and even thrive in the face of climate change and other risks. Yet while claiming to “go green,” we have instead created new risks, continued to degrade nature, and failed to halt global warming.

Unnatural Disasters offers a new perspective on our most pressing environmental and social challenges, revealing the gaps between abstract concepts like sustainability, resilience, and innovation and the real-world experiences of the people living at risk. Gonzalo Lizarralde explains how the causes of disasters are not natural but all too human: inequality, segregation, marginalization, colonialism, neoliberalism, racism, and unrestrained capitalism. He tells the stories of Latin American migrants, Haitian earthquake survivors, Canadian climate activists, African slum dwellers, and other people resisting social and environmental injustices around the world. Lizarralde shows that most reconstruction and risk-reduction efforts exacerbate social inequalities. Some responses do produce meaningful changes, but they are rarely the ones powerful leaders have in mind.

This book reveals how disasters have become both the causes and consequences of today’s most urgent challenges and proposes achievable solutions to save a planet at risk, emphasizing the power citizens hold to change the current state of affairs.

Intro: "Ten Inch Spikes" by Jeremy Korpas on Youtube Audio Library Outro: "Amor Chiquito" by Quincas Moreira on Youtube Audio Library Episode Collage Photos: Young people: Helena Lopes on Unsplash, Hands: Stokpic on Pixabay, John Middelkoop on Unsplash, Medellín, Colombia: Daniel Vargas on Unsplash, Caution: Vin Nelsen; Older man: Pxhere and Unsplash

As the climate changes for the worse, how can we protect our communities? Join Dylan Clark, Senior Research Associate The Canadian Institute for Climate Choices, the network of experts producing independent research to bring clarity to the climate policy choices ahead for Canada, and Multi-Hazards podcast host Vin Nelsen as they discuss the challenges facing Canada and countries worldwide. Have a listen!

Episode Link with Study Guide (left where it says "PDF"): https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/the-health-costs-of-climate-change-with-dylan-clark-the-canadian-institute-for-climate-choices 

This podcast is about The Canadian Institute for Climate Choices' June 2021 report, The Health Costs of Climate Change: How Canada Can Adapt, Prepare, and Save Lives.

LINK: https://climatechoices.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ClimateChoices_Health-report_Final_June2021.pdf

Dylan Clark’s Bio:

Dylan is Senior Research Associate at The Canadian Institute for Climate Choices.  He specialises in adaptation policy development and climate change impacts across the North. His experience includes leadership on community-based projects and research on Arctic security, vulnerability modeling, and climate impacts on health. Dylan has previously worked as an Adaptation Analyst for the Government of Yukon and a Program Manager for the Climate Change Adaptation Research Group. Dylan holds a Master of Science in Geography from McGill University.

About The Canadian Institute for Climate Choices

The Canadian Institute for Climate Choices is an unparalleled collaboration of experts from across the country. We undertake rigorous and independent research, insightful analysis and broad engagement to bring clarity to the climate challenges and transformative policy choices ahead for Canada.

L’Institut canadien pour des choix climatiques est une collaboration sans précédent d’experts de partout au Canada. Nous produisons des recherches, des analyses et des opinions rigoureuses et indépendantes afin de clarifier les défis et ainsi que les choix de politiques transformateurs en matière de climat auxquels le Canada fera face.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climatechoices/ 

Their website: https://climatechoices.ca

Outro: "Back to the Future" by Ofshane on Youtube Audio Library Episode Photos: Woman in restaurant: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels, Tick: Photo by Erik Karits on Unsplash, Thermometer: Photo by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay, Red sun: Photo by DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash, Tree and desert: Pexels, Man in ambulance: Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Wildfire smoke is no joke. How can we protect our communities from its harm, even as the climate changes and wildfires increase? Join Dr. Sarah Henderson, renowned scientist in environmental public health, and Multi-Hazards podcast host Vin Nelsen as they discuss how we can adapt to the polluted skies as more wildfires engulf our forests and living spaces. Have a listen!

Study Guide here, click on PDF: https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/keeping-safe-from-wildfire-smoke-with-dr-sarah-henderson

Dr. Sarah Henderson's Bio:

Dr. Sarah Henderson is the Scientific Director in Environmental Health Services at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). She is also an Associate Professor in the University of British Columbia or UBC School of Population & Public Health.

Sarah Henderson started her career as an environmental engineer (Bachelor of Science, UBC, 2000), working on pollution abatement and control. She switched her focus to environmental epidemiology (PhD, UBC, 2009) when she first became interested in the public health consequences of engineering decisions.

Sarah joined the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) in 2010. 

Bio is from the BC Centre for Disease Control: http://www.bccdc.ca/our-research/people/sarah-henderson

Outro: "Electro Fight" by Kwon on YouTube Audio Library

Episode Photos: DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash, Clay Banks on Unsplash, Joanne Francis on Unsplash & Lizgrin F on Unsplash

How do human actions turn natural hazards into catastrophes for communities? The tragic truth is this: most disasters aren't natural. Instead, we choose them, that is, they're created or worsened by our own choices. How can we take action to save lives and preserve communities? Join Dr. Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters and Health, and Multi-Hazards podcast host Vin Nelsen as they discuss how we can choose NOT to have disasters harming us so much. Have a listen!

Study Guide here, click on PDF: https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/choosing-disastersor-not-with-dr-ilan-kelman

We discussed: * How his theme fits in with recent heatwaves, wildfires & floods, like the West Coast of North America has seen. * How vulnerability is actually a long-term process. The same people get hit again and again in most cases, right? * How we blame nature & even climate change when our own social organisation has messed things up & increased vulnerability. * How systemic racism plays out in disasters. * How do centuries of imperialism create our current vulnerabilities and "shape today's disaster map"? * How imperialism over the centuries has shaped today's vulnerability map. * How preparing "off-season" for disasters is a wise idea. * What's wrong with our psychology when we we stubbornly "double down" on our perceived right to live in places that are disaster-prone. * Etc.

Ilan Kelman’s Bio:

Ilan Kelman (http://www.ilankelman.org and Twitter/Instagram @ILANKELMAN) is Professor of Disasters and Health at University College London, England and a Professor II at the University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway. His overall research interest is linking disasters and health, including the integration of climate change into disaster research and health research. That covers three main areas: (i) disaster diplomacy and health diplomacy (http://www.disasterdiplomacy.org); (ii) island sustainability involving safe and healthy communities in isolated locations (http://www.islandvulnerability.org); and (iii) risk education for health and disasters (http://www.riskred.org). Ilan’s debut trade book, Disaster by Choice: How our actions turn natural hazards into catastrophes, was published by Oxford University Press or OUP in 2020. LINK: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/disaster-by-choice-9780198841340?cc=us&lang=en&

Also check out Dr. Kelman's awesome “What Makes It Tick?” YouTube video series, where many chapters of Disaster by Choice are made into an individual video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCuu5t_nsFKC5IbjnahIEoKHK8o2vegaZ

Intro: "Ten Inch Spikes" by Jeremy Korpas on Youtube Audio Library

Outro: "Airborne" by Quincas Moreira on Youtube Audio Library

Episode Photos:

Portugal fire: Photo by Michael Held on Unsplash Person near tent: Photo by Denniz Futalan from Pexels Injured man: Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels Flood sign: Photo by Hermann Traub on Pixabay

The opioids crisis is ravaging our communities. How can we all respond in a better, savvier way? Join Guy Felicella, addiction educator, harm reduction advocate and public speaker, and Multi-Hazards podcast host Vin Nelsen as they discuss how Canada, the US and the world can work smarter in dealing with opioids and all addiction “pandemics” that we face. Have a listen!

Study Guide only at this link at the left labelled "PDF": https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/the-opioids-crisis-with-guy-felicella

Guy Felicella's Bio

Named in The 2020 Vanmag Power 50 and recipient of the 2021 Courage to Come Back Award, Guy is a qualified expert who devotes his time and career to public speaking and advocating to reduce the stigma of harm reduction and educate on drug policy and addiction.

Guy Felicella grew up in a middle class home in Richmond, BC, Canada but fell into drug addiction at a young age. Guy spent 30 years in the repeated cycle of gangs, addiction, treatment and jail. He spent nearly 20 years residing in the two block radius in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Canada, and using many resources, including harm reduction, to keep himself alive.

Today, Guy has escaped the grips of the turmoil that kept him suffering and resides with his wife and three young children with multiple years of recovery and sobriety under his belt.

Guy is passionate about advocating for the vulnerable people who still suffer in addiction and educating communities on harm reduction to eliminate the stigma that exists around it. Currently Guy works for Vancouver Coastal Health, Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction and the BC Centre on Substance Use. In addition, Guy attends various school districts and post secondary institutions to educate students on addiction.

Guy spent nearly his entire life suffering in addiction and now he is using his experience to change the hearts and minds of people to the idea that recovery is harm reduction and harm reduction is recovery. Gone are the days where it’s either harm reduction or recovery; it’s both!

Guy Felicella’s website is at http://guyfelicella.com. Guy’s photo and biography are from here.

Outro: "Modern Time" by An Jone on Youtube Audio Library Episode Photos: Photo by Hennie Stander on Unsplash, photo from Guy Felicella’s website, photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash, photo by Colin Davis on Unsplash

Emergency management (EM) is changing. Organisations like the Black Emergency Managers Association International (BEMA International) are bringing in a rich diversity and expertise into fields that protect communities. Today we talk to CEO Charles D. Sharp about disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA), working both at the community and global levels, focusing on influencing policy, the urgency of taking action now and so many other topics. Join us for this exciting episode!

Study Guide here, click on the left where it says PDF: https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/black-emergency-managers-worldwide-conversation-with-charles-d-sharp

Charles D. Sharp Bio Charles D. Sharp is the Chairman\Chief Executive Officer of Black Emergency Managers Association International (BEMA International). This organization's goal is to promote African Descent homeland security and emergency management professionals within the U.S., Caribbean, Middle East, and Africa. Comprised of members within each of the critical infrastructure sectors: healthcare, Fire\EMS, energy, transportation, water & food security, education, federal, state, county, regional governments, and ‘whole community’ for community engagement. BEMA International is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact, U.N. Water Mandate, Global Water Partnership, and the U.S. Water Partnership. With a cumulative experience of over 50-years in disaster management since high school while employed at the National Science Foundation (NSF), operations, contingency, and business continuity planning, retired U.S. Air Force Emergency Manager with over 24 years of service as a planner, logistician, exercise design & developer, trainer and serving as an Emergency Manager Inspector General Air Force Air Combat Command for base level ‘all-hazards’ emergency management of National Guard, and Active Duty units. This cumulative experience and the changing environment in emergency management, and with the growing impacts of climate change has led to additional personal and professional growth as a Cornell University Climate Fellow, and 2021-2023 tenure as the Deputy Chair Global Health Security Agenda Consortium to meet the needs of communities globally.

Outro Music - "Heartbeat" by Godmode on YouTube Audio Library

BEMA International website - http://www.blackemergmanagersassociation.org

How can emergency management (EM) change? Include different kinds of staff? Better serve diverse communities? Join this Multi-Hazards episode as Chauncia Willis, Co-Founder and CEO of the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM) and seasoned EM practitioner herself, shows us the joys and benefits of making Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) part of every aspect of Emergency Management! Don’t miss this episode!

Study Guide here, just click left on PDF: https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/diversity-equity-inclusion-in-emergency-management-with-chauncia-willis

Chauncia Willis Bio

Chauncia Willis is a certified Professional Coach, Cultural Diversity expert and Emergency Manager. My expertise includes disaster management, national security event planning, leadership coaching, immigrant and refugee outreach, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion training. In my role as CEO for the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management, I am entrusted to lead the effort to integrate equity into all facets of disaster policy, programs, and practice with the goal of increasing cultural competence and mitigating the harmful impacts of bias on underserved groups.

Chauncia's new book is called Stretching: The Race towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in America. It's is an audacious book about America’s history of racism and discrimination and the current evolution that the country is experiencing. To survive as a nation, America must stretch beyond its past towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive future. Order it here: https://chauncia.com/stretching/

Outro Music

Cumbia City - An Jone from YouTube Audio Library

Ironically, indigenous peoples are least responsible for climate change but will feel its effects the most, with all the storms, floods, diseases, etc. that it brings. How can they adapt better to this colossal challenge and help us all in our adaptation? How can indigenous people and the rich knowledge of nature they bring become gamechangers?

Join this eye-opening episode where Toni Hay, indigenous climate expert from Australia, discusses the role indigenous communities play and the solutions they offer!

Study Guide here, click on PDF: https://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/indigenous-climate-adaptation-in-australia-beyond-with-toni-hay

Toni Hay Bio:

Toni Hay is an author, climate expert, and environmental sustainability scientist with a passion for tackling climate change and protecting the planet. Being a descendent of the First Australians Nation of Gamilaraay and having grown up on Yolngu Country, she has a rich heritage and a deeply personal connection to the environment. She’s dedicated to helping raise awareness about the issues facing our climate and the vulnerable communities who bear the burden of climate change.

As the winner of the 2020 award for Queensland Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), Toni is driven to provide feasible and practical solutions to environmental issues across Australia, New Zealand and Oceania. She blends her scientific knowledge with her unique background, experiences and insights to offer meaningful ways for individuals and communities to embrace sustainability and help the world’s most vulnerable people.

Culture of Inclusion: Indigenous Climate Adaptation

Culture of Inclusion: Indigenous Climate Adaptation is a thought-provoking book that offers a detailed and meaningful exploration of climate change and the essential part that Indigenous communities play. With a special focus on the role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have in combating environmental damage – along with the Australian government’s lack of inclusion and failure to seek their unique input – this book examines how climate change will impact the globe’s poorest and most vulnerable communities the hardest, along with practical ways for our communities to begin taking action. Exploring the dangers that environmental catastrophe poses to Indigenous people’s health, communities, and livelihoods, this book offers a down-to-earth look at the possible solutions for healing the planet, as well as powerful ways to educate people and create positive change. Culture of Inclusion Indigenous Climate Adaptation is a must-read for environmental activists, climate scientists, Indigenous people, and anyone who is passionate about the planet.

Bio and Book Summary taken from Toni Hay’s Culture of Inclusion: Indigenous Climate Adaptation

Outro: "Time to Spare" by An Jones on YouTube Audio Library

Collage Photos: Indigenous dancers: Photo by Mark Roy on Flickr Australia by satellite: Photo by WikiImages on Pixabay Seaside colours: Photo by raedon on Pixabay Indigenous art: Photo by esther1721 on Pixabay