Dr. Dyah R. Hizbaron, focused on Vulnerability Analysis. This was primarily done by using the example of urbanization, and even more so by using the case of the Guandong Delta in China. However, the lecture began by listing different elements of risk, hence having the potential of being vulnerable, including structures, economy, natural resources and society. Dr. Dyah R. Hizbaron here in particular points out the difference between physical hazard, used in geography and with quantitative approaches, and social hazard, as used in social sciences and is approached through qualitative method. Significant to mention are three basic terms when thinking about vulnerability which are vulnerability, meaning the possibility to escape a stressful situation, capacity, the capability to escape a stressful situation either through coping, adaptation or resilience, and hazard, meaning an event creating shock or stress. Furthermore, it is explained that the probability of losses must be added in order to measure risk, i.e. how much is affected. This is than added to the elements of hazard and vulnerability, ultimately leading to number which describes a risk. The conceptual framework is than utilized by using the case example of the Guandong Delta which reveals an increased risk accordingly to an increased urbanization. It is also pointed out that this could be the case for several locations on Java as well.
2017
Dr. Junun Sartohadi presented an example of Eco-DRR in practice with a focus on ecosystem resilience for natural hazard mitigation. In particular, he focussed on the spatial rearrangement of local trees and crops to optimise the ecosystem’s benefits to the local communities. He took the example of an erosion-landslide- drought prone area, the Bompon Sub-watershed in the Magelang District, Central Java. The main objective was to formulate an effective conservation strategy, based on soil-water conservation techniques which are able to mitigate the risk to natural hazards. Most importantly, the proposed system had to be accepted by the community and was meant to improve land cultivation and productivity, consequently generating an economic income. Given the sensitivity and average thickness of the layers of the soil in that area as well as the absence of effective trees rooting systems that would prevent the soil from sliding, the purpose was to determine which crops/trees are providing either daily, seasonal or annual income – the dominant crops/trees. Overall, the land management of the Bompon Sub- watershed was improved through the cultivation of permanent trees and light weight crops, such as coffee, rambutan, durian, etc. The spatial rearrangement was described as a win-win solution enhancing economic productivity while causing minimal land disturbance.
Geomorphology studies why landscapes look the way they do, their forming history and dynamics as well as try to predict future changes, with focus on what happens on the surface and above it. In order to understand the concept of disaster, we should understand some of frequently basic terms such as hazard, exposure, vulnerability, capacity, risk and disaster and how its definition might change according to the context it happen in, as different countries look at hazards and calamities differently. Hazard is defined as a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihood & services, social & economic disruption or environmental damage. Hazard is a potentially damaging phenomenon that could be caused by natural or human-induced. Some of the examples of hazard are typhoon, extreme rains, earthquake, tsunami, severe flooding, rain-caused landslide, and rough seas. Exposure is the degree to which the elements at risk are likely to experience hazard events of different magnitude. Vulnerability is the characteristics of a community, system or asset that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. This may arise from various physical, social, economic & environmental factors. Vulnerability comprises of three components such as: (1) social integration; (2) physical vulnerability; (3) psychological. Capacity is the combination of all strengths and resources available within the community, society or organization that can reduce the level of risk or effects of a disaster. Risk is the combination of probability of an event to happen and its negative consequences, while disaster is a natural or man-made hazard resulting in an event of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life, or drastic change to the environment.
23th August 2017 – Another day has passed and I gained new knowledge as this summer course almost comes to an end. I started my morning like the usual time, had usual breakfast menu and walked the same route to UGM. The 10th day of summer course started with the first session of the lecture on “Understanding Climate Change Problem” by Dr. Suko Prayitno Adi. He explained about some of the causes and effects of climate change which may contributes to natural disaster which it would increase the weather and climate hazards. Next contributes to increase in the vulnerability of communities to natural hazards. Some of the examples are ecosystem degradation, food availability and changes in livelihood. In his lecture, he mentioned about the adaptation through the risk reduction management and explained about the role of Hyogo framework in which disaster risk reduction management should be local and international priority along with strong institutional implementation. Furthermore, early warning systems are much needed to identify, asses and monitor on disaster occurrence possibility. Next, it is truly important to have the knowledge, innovation education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all level thus reduce the underlying factors. Lastly, it is a must to strengthen the disaster management for effective response.
One of the activities during the 2017 Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction was visiting the E-Pujiono Learning House. Located in Dukuh Karanglo, Desa Donoharjo, Kecamatan Ngaglik, Kabupaten Sleman, Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this Learning House, established on Mei 6, 2017, aimed at becoming means of learning for advancing public understanding of disaster resilience and climate change adaptation. The E-Pujiono Learning House is part of the Pujiono Study Center (Pujiono Center, abbreviated as PUCEN) was established on June 12, 2012, to serve as a think-tank with headquarters in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. PUCEN focuses on issues and debates on disaster resilience, humanitarian response, emergency response management, and social work profession dimensions on disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.
More UGM experts on their respective fields of specializations took centerstage today. Their presentation taken all together creates a wider picture of how sciences must collaborate, exchange notes, share and listen to each other’s findings and in general just have an inter-discipline conversation so efforts to implement ecosystems-based disaster risk reduction initiatives. This would result to higher community resiliency and better environment management or restoration.
The presentation on Climate Change allowed everyone to have a common understating about the topic with the various definition, projections, some international frameworks prediction models. My personal reflection is that all sectors of the “earth’s citizenry” has to do their part. The international community, as one, already have spoken through the Hyogo and Sendai conference. Now it’s time for governments, scientists, corporations and other stakeholders has to take initiatives in their own countries and contribute and, for example, lessen carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy. Emphasis must be for Corporations.
Again, with a lovely day to start with a typical Indonesian style of breakfast. It was the last field visit and of course the mesmerizing one. We started our journey from the Cakra Kusuma hotel towards the northern part of Yogyakarta special region to witness the glory of Mt. Merapi, one of the most active volcanoes of the world. It is located in the central part of Java Island. It has been observed from the bus that how the life of the people of Yogyakarta entirely dependent on the landscape of volcanic events throughout the ages. Mt. Merapi is also called the ‘Mountain of Fire’ in Javanese. Furthermore, Merapi volcano plays a significant role to boost the tourism and an income generating source for the local inhabitants.
Alright, so today the day began with a lot of mix feelings. The days were passing so fast that today we actually had the last field trip. They say, the best is kept for the last and it was. The day was short and brief yet memorable one definitely.
Today holds many different packages of surprises and the first of them was unfolded at the hotel. Yes, among of all the fieldtrip days, today on the last day the committee decided to treat us with a different bus which was actually turned out to be a good one too. After having our so called morning roll call, the bus set it course towards to Merapi Museum.
After several days of activities including fieldtrip, workshop and the Amazing Race, on the eigth day it was time again to build up more theoretical knowledge on the topic of Eco-DRR. Accordingly the participants came to the University, although not to the normal classroom, but to the larger Merapi Auditorium, due to a larger groups of students also participating for the first two guest lectures. The first lecture was held by Dr. Seca Gandaseca from the
University Putra Malaysia. He definitely succeeded in the task to delivering an informative, as well as entertaining session as it could be observed in the listener crowd. His primary field of expertise is the forestry sector which is why the lecture could be summarized as a combination of just that sector with the key terms vulnerability, disaster and risk. He also made connections to climate change and the influence of humans. While introducing with an explanation of the ecosystem “forest”, he then continued to describe the interpretation of disaster, i.e. that disasters are actually a natural phenomena which cannot be stopped by mankind, but risk can be reduced through people’s behavior. In the next part of the session Dr. Seca Gandaseca explained the term of adaptation and gave some examples of means of prevention and mitigation.