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The Role of Education in Increasing Awareness and Reducing Impact of Natural Hazards

Author

Listed:
  • David Cerulli

    (Centre of Natural Science Education, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Michael Scott

    (Department of Geography and Geosciences, Salisbury University, 1101 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801, USA)

  • Raivo Aunap

    (Department of Geography, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Ain Kull

    (Department of Geography, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Jaan Pärn

    (Department of Geography, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Jack Holbrook

    (Centre of Natural Science Education, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Ülo Mander

    (Department of Geography, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia)

Abstract

Education could play a role in decreasing and mitigating damages caused by natural disaster. By analysing relationships between level of education and components of the World Risk Index, this study demonstrated an education’s role in natural hazard awareness and mitigation. For this purpose, we analysed relationships between the components of WRI, created an education factor independent of WRI (based on PISA 2018 Science test results), analysed the frequency, magnitude and exposure of natural hazards of an extreme event character in selected countries and analysed the relationships between the education factor and WRI components among the countries. A detailed analysis was performed for 15 countries representing the full global range of natural hazards (frequency, magnitude and exposure to droughts, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods (not related to hurricanes), mass movements, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis) and level of education. We found that the education factor (ranked and normalised to the maximal value among the considered countries) has significant negative correlation with the following WRI parameters: the Natural Hazard Factor (relative vulnerability, based on the difference between the relative and calculated WRI, ranked and normalised to the maximal value of WRI differences), susceptibility, lack of coping capacities and lack of adaptive capacities (all ranked and normalised to the maximal value). Results indicated that countries at low risk tend to be over-aware while countries at high risk are under-aware of natural hazards. Education can significantly increase awareness of natural hazards and reduce their impact.

Suggested Citation

  • David Cerulli & Michael Scott & Raivo Aunap & Ain Kull & Jaan Pärn & Jack Holbrook & Ülo Mander, 2020. "The Role of Education in Increasing Awareness and Reducing Impact of Natural Hazards," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7623-:d:414217
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Juliet Akola & James Chakwizira & Emaculate Ingwani & Peter Bikam, 2023. "Awareness Level of Spatial Planning Tools for Disaster Risk Reduction in Informal Settlements in Mopani District, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Qian Gong & Yushan Duan & Fengtao Guo, 2021. "Disaster Risk Reduction Education in School Geography Curriculum: Review and Outlook from a Perspective of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Shingirai Mugambiwa & Jabulani Makhubele, 2021. "Anthropogenic flash floods and climate change in rural Zimbabwe: Impacts and options for adaptation," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 21(1), pages 809-819, July.

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