How can the human dimensions of disaster impacts be more accurately captured and represented in the analysis, modeling and simulation of disasters?
Systemic and systems approaches; which look at not some parts but the whole by linking both the details and the whole; can be applied to disaster analysis to capture human dimensions of disaster impacts. Specifically; applying systemic and systems approaches to disaster analysis may enable us to (1) grasp the relationships between humans and social/economic/natural systems for disaster risks management (2) identify the state of “continuum” in the whole and parts among human; social and nature systems in enabling resilience in disaster risk management. Thus; through systemic and systems approaches; it may be possible to articulate missing links in the current disaster analysis; which can provide inputs to what more needs to be done to prepare for disasters better with better modeling and simulation of disasters.
What type of data and supporting research infrastructure would be necessary to enable novel, transdisciplinary approaches to answering these and other human-centered disaster questions?
Especially given dynamic changes related to climate change; cascading disasters and our living environments; we need data (both quantitative and qualitative data) which grasps the relationships among humans (especially vulnerable people); social/economic/natural contexts; and risks taking into account local or place-based contexts. This kind of data will necessitate or enable transdisciplinary approaches for human-centered disaster management. For the above kinds of data; a supporting research infrastructure which focuses on integrating separate data on humans; social/economic/natural conditions; and risks into a one-stop platform will be necessary. This kind of integration will emphasize relationships and boundaries among different kinds of data beyond disciplines and regions; which will be a critical leverage point in enabling disaster resilience at local to global levels.
In what ways can US-Japan collaborations advance these questions in new and important ways?
We can advance these kinds of questions through building a collaborative knowledge system where separate data; information; and knowledge can be integrated with the emphasis of the relationship and boundary to create knowledge synergies through collaborative works with diverse stakeholders.