Introducer(s): Douglas Richardson - Association of American Geographers Session Description: Scientific information is a critical component in efforts to develop land management and mitigation strategies relating to natural hazards. However, the existence of scientific information does not by itself ensure that better decisions will be made. This panel addresses the use of scientific information and the factors that affect its application in effectively reducing and managing risk.
This panel builds upon the results from two AAG events held during the past year. A panel at the 2006 AAG Annual Meeting in Chicago addressed "Vulnerability and Risk Analysis: Can a National Strategy be Developed?" The panel highlighted the concept of a national strategy and the need for developing a coherent research agenda. In November 2006, the AAG, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the USGS convened a "Roundtable on a National Framework for Risk Reduction and Management" in Washington, DC. The Roundtable brought together academic, business, and government leaders to advance a research agenda on improving decision-making to reduce and manage the risks of natural hazards -- http://www.upenn.edu/penniur/risk.htm
This panel will address three broad goals discussed at the Washington Roundtable and the key topics that should be included in a research agenda. The three goals are:
Enhancing the use of scientific information to reduce societal vulnerability and risk from hazards;
Identifying how spatial data can most effectively enable and empower decision-making at the local, state, and national levels; and
Addressing the alignment of incentives and predicted behavior at both the national and local levels to advance the public interest.
(52) 2007 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California
