Our guest studied overseas to be a geologist specializing in volcanos, and realized the skills he learned could be applied to disaster analysis and preparedness. He cites examples where disaster was averted because of new tools, but also bemoans the outdated hazard maps that underestimated the storm surge in Leyte that killed thousands during super typhoon Yolanda. What we need, Lagmay explains, are hazard maps that project the impact of climate change, which makes predictions based on the historical record irrelevant and potentially catastrophic, such as what happened in Leyte.The Philippines is so disaster-prone, Dr. Lagmay says, that an army of “citizen scientists” is needed to gather data for disaster prevention. He recalls the government’s groundbreaking Project Noah that produced “hazard-specific, area-focused, and time-bound warnings” that saved many lives, yet was terminated several years ago with the change in administrations. Science should be above politics, Lagmay asserts, but political meddling plagues scientific work and disaster preparedness.

For more information:https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/31/22/bring-back-up-noah-in-ndrrmc-were-ready-says-hazard-expert-group
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1831387/davao/local-news/up-scientist-pushes-for-department-of-disaster-resilience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeHtl64ANJI&ab_channel=UPResilienceInstitute

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