What Does Resilience Look Like During Our Current Hurricane and Wildfire Season?

While natural disasters can be unpredictable, especially as climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather patterns and events, there are actions that we can take as individuals and communities to increase our resilience. This blog shares some information about natural disasters in our home country of the United States, dives into stories of disaster adaptation from youth across North America, and builds your capacity for resilience through preparation and US-specific political action.

Current Hurricane and Wildfire Season

As summer heats up the northern hemisphere, each coast of North America faces different natural challenges. Hurricane season rocks the eastern Atlantic coast and wildfires scorch the western Pacific coast from late spring to early fall each year (though the peak wildfire season for each region varies). Climate change and natural degradation have led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires in the United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has found that the new normal is warmer and wetter on the east coast, since rising temperatures cause more evaporation and water vapor to be held in the atmosphere. These same warmer temperatures can also increase the risks of wildfires, which release particulate matter that continue to trap warmth in the atmosphere, similar to greenhouse gases. As the human population spreads, people continue to move closer to forests and coasts, increasing the likelihood of human devastation, in addition to environmental loss. Understanding these events and how to prepare for them can reduce your risk of being impacted.

Youth Strengthening and Prioritizing Resilience in the Wake of Natural Disasters

Youth hold a unique role in teaching their communities in disaster preparedness. They can provide value as innovators, inter-cultural ambassadors, peer-to-peer facilitators, community mobilizers, and advocates for vulnerable people. Here are two youth we would like to showcase, who are doing just that!

Mental Health First Aid - Hannah Licea

How can we help communities heal their mental health after natural disasters?

"I researched the ways in which First Aid for Mental Health information is transferred among local emergency management to disaster shelter volunteers. This research focused directly on the psychological impact after a natural disaster. After a natural disaster, the primary concerns people have surround basic means of survival. Eventually, communities and individuals will have the chance to return to their lifestyle or at least something close to a more normal routine. I believe that in the time between these two mental states of survival and normalcy, psychological support is most pertinent because one’s mental health is most at risk.

“Gatekeepers of Mental Health”

Mental Health First Aid is a pre-disaster tool to best prepare for any disaster or situation that could strike a population. The overall goal is to further educate and train regular people within a community on how best to identify and support those in need of social support, thus creating “gatekeepers of mental health.”

This project is focused on training gatekeepers on protocols for first aid for mental health so that they know how to provide comfort, promote recovery, or reduce stress for others. We implement training, workshops, and even basic resources like a wallet sized pamphlet, to help individuals approach topics of trauma with the assurance of First Aid for Mental Health guidelines. Through this project, we currently run trainings and workshops across the country for managers within businesses, religious leaders, and other community organizers. Unfortunately, however, there is still a shortage of easily accessible and direct First Aid for Mental Health information.

I plan to develop a resource that can be easily distributed, carried, and translated among a population to actively address mental health instead of passively witnessing it. This resource will be similar to other action cards in that it is only meant to be used for two reasons: to identify PTSD and act as a tool to find professional help.

First aid for mental health is just as important as first aid for physical health

Right Card: Dark Blue Side identifies basic identification of a mental health crisis Left Card: White Side identifies behavior or how to respond to a mental health crisis — ***Right Card:*** Dark Blue Side identifies basic identification of a mental health crisis
***Left Card:*** White Side identifies behavior or how to respond to a mental health crisis

Trauma experienced during and after a natural disaster is unique: In natural disaster scenarios, everyone in a community tends to experience the same trauma, albeit at varying levels. Further research needs to be done to organize identifiable causes, symptoms, and responses of post-traumatic stress and ensure that evacuation shelters, volunteers, family members, and individuals can feel validated in their symptoms. From this research, I hope that future organizers of shelters will consider First Aid for Mental Health awareness for potential evacuees, so people can cope and understand the psychological trauma they might be experiencing.

I am hopeful that one day mental health first aid is offered alongside physical first aid and that this type of research offers a small piece of the greater foundation for a larger agenda in furthering awareness of First Aid for Mental Health across America."

In review: In Hannah's story we learn about the importance of including mental health in disaster response. We echo Hannah's hopes for increased and equitable access to mental health resources - especially as time for healing between disasters decreases - in the future.

You can find more of Hannah here.

Burwigan Coral Farm and Museum - Diwigdi Valiente

"...Honestly, there were times in my life when I felt ashamed to talk about her medicine, because in western cultures our indigenous rituals have been seen as witchcraft - lacking scientific credibility. But today, I could not be more proud of my grandmother's traditions. I feel extremely gratified, as now such practices are frequently recognized as powerful, even advanced, ways to heal.

My grandmother; her home, community and cultural traditions, are all at risk of disappearing underneath the rising waters of climate change. The people of the San Blas islands are in serious risk of losing everything, in our lifetime. My name is Diwigdi Valiente. I am Guna; an indigenous person of Central America. I was raised on one island of many, Playon Chico, off the northern coast of Panama. With a population of around 2500 people, the island where I come from is the second most inhabited island in Guna Yala (also known as the San Blas islands) and one of the places most affected by sea level rise in Panama.

In my lifetime, the Guna islands will disappear under the rising sea, creating one of the world’s earliest cases of climate-change refugees. The children – burwigan in Guna - of my island, are already the unknowing victims. For centuries, the Guna people have fled and fought to preserve our cultural autonomy, revolting in the face of government suppression. And for centuries, we have won. Across the world, indigenous communities like mine; their history, heritage, strengths and struggles, long risked fading away to global westernization. And now – because of climate change – some risk vanishing altogether.

I have always been deeply connected to the ocean and made my life vow to protect it. In 2005 I experienced first hand a Coral Reef Restoration and Shore Protection Project in my island in collaboration with the Global Coral Reef Alliance ... Knowing the risk my indigenous culture is facing, I created the Burwigan project, years later. Through art we raise awareness and draw the attention of authorities of the Panamanian national government and international organizations to this urgent problem in order to mobilize funds to relocate our community to the mainland.

According to Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the islands might be underwater in the next 20 to 30 years. It is known that in the process of fighting the rising tides the coasts my people have been using live coral to build barriers around the islands. This practice has increased our vulnerability to storms and sea tides. Through Burwigan we perform art workshops to teach the guna people that corals are not stones, but ecosystems needed to be protected. As a result, we have seen a change in this practice and there are designated protected areas, where coral cannot be removed.

We are willing to receive support and work together to implement new technologies, to restore ecosystems and manage waste. Once again the Guna people face adversities by reconciling our culture with the technological advances necessary for the future to be bright and our culture to stay alive despite the changes."

In review: Diwigdi's story reminds us of what is at risk with increased disasters. It can be easy to feel like these are far away challenges, but disasters - such as sea level rise - are impacting millions around the world already. Diwigdi's story also demonstrates how nature is not just the problem when we talk about natural disasters, but nature can also be an integral part of adaptation and resilience strategies.

Make sure to read Diwigdi's full piece, which you can find on the Youth4Nature story map Burwigan Coral Farm and Museum - Guna Yala Comarca, Panama.

How to Be Prepared

Different types of natural disasters threaten different areas of the world-- earthquakes, landslides and mudslides, volcanoes, extreme heat, lightning, wildfires, floods, tornadoes, winter weather, hurricanes, and tsunamis. For all natural disasters, there are two basic ways to prepare: create a plan and build a disaster supplies kit.

Creating a Plan

When a natural disaster occurs, you and your loved ones may be separated. Electricity and cell service may also be limited. Your plan should consist of the specific way you’ll contact each other-- text messages are recommended-- as well as a meeting place that’s familiar, easy to find, and less likely to have been affected by the disaster. For example, if your region is prone to flooding, find an elevated area that floods less frequently. If your region is prone to hurricanes, find a safe place inland that you can evacuate to. As you create your plan, tailor your plan (and your kit) to your family’s needs by considering factors such as dietary needs, medical needs, disabilities or access and functional needs, cultural and religious considerations, and pets or service animals.

Fill out a Family Emergency Communication Plan.

Creating a Disaster Supplies Kit

If you have to survive a few days on your own after a natural disaster, building a disaster supplies kit - both for sheltering in place and for instances where travel is required - ensures you have all the items you need. With consideration for the environment and your bank account, many of the items in your disaster supplies kit can be gathered from within your home-- by using tupperware, refilling bottles, and searching your house for these items on the below list before heading to the store.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following items:

One gallon of water per person per day for several days for drinking and sanitation (for shelter in place at home)
At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (for shelter in place at home)
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities (for shelter in place at home)
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries,
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air
Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place (for shelter in place away from home)
Personal sanitation items such as moist towelettes
Garbage bags and plastic ties
Manual can opener for food
Maps local to your safe place
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

For individual needs, consider adding the following items:

Masks, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes
Prescription medicine
Non-prescription medicine
Prescription eyeglasses
Cash or traveler’s checks
Important family documents
Sleeping bag or blanket
Change of clothes
Fire extinguisher
Matches
Feminine products

With children or pets include:

Infant formula
Bottles
Diapers
Wipes
Rash cream
Activities for children
Pet food
Extra water

After you’ve gathered all of the supplies you’ll need, store them in airtight bags and place those bags in easy-to-carry duffel bags.

Find an Emergency Supply List.

Implications of Natural Disasters

Why Does it Matter in the Work of Decision Makers?

The impacts of natural disasters are almost always amplified by politics and social realities. The event is hazardous but a disastrous outcome can be avoided if there are precautions to address vulnerabilities of communities. While personal action towards preparedness is important, and we hope you have benefited from the resources in this blog, we also appeal to decision-makers who have the responsibility towards acting on disasters before, during and after.

Before a disaster strikes:

Local, regional and national level planning through a group of local and external partnerships.
Planning between competent leadership to delegate responsibilities to building prevention and readiness infrastructure, and to training disaster personnel and leaders.
Government level planning should be done without a bureaucratic overhead model.
Community-based funding should begin to then be able to provide assistance and also supplies.

During a disaster:

Private sector involvement to provide aid of supplies, transportation, shelter, food.
Evacuation of vulnerable sites, with notice and transportation supports.
Citizen involvement through participatory disaster response systems.

In the aftermath:

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Honest and holistic reporting of outcomes and impacts that considers gender, age, income, and more.
Updating disaster policy for the public, reducing hazards in case of the next event.
Reinvest in practices and nature-based solution structures like mangroves, grass and sand dunes near the coast, and prescribed burnings.
- See videos of Vania, Mexico, and Amanda, Netherlands, our Youth4Nature Global Ambassadors sharing on coastal nature based solutions in their countries.
- We really enjoy this piece on prescribed burnings, with knowledge from Rick O’Rourke who is the fire coordinator for the Cultural Fire Management Council, a Yurok-led organization in what we know as today, California.

The negative impact of natural disasters can and should be mitigated. As more extreme events occur, our current structures and systems will need to change. Decision-makers must consider how to mitigate the risk of damage caused by water disasters like floods and hurricanes, as well as the impact of sea level rise. Sea level rise can spur new problems arising from water space expansion such as coastal erosion, the reduction of arable land and infiltration of freshwater aquifers. Think about it: if the Baltic Ocean expands due to sea level rise, what happens to the existing maritime zones and boundaries, the movement of which could lead to conflicts over things like fishing rights and exploitation of the seas? What can coastal countries do when their shorelines move landward? These are questions we can avoid altogether if we become more ambitious in our action towards mitigating exposure to risk of natural hazards.

“Disasters can be an opportunity for unscrupulous governments or people,” according to Dr. David Alexander. Corruption and exploitation are avenues that can easily be twisted onto during times of crisis. As allies around the world, we must ensure from our decision-makers that humanitarian aid is going to support those most in need. For more information on how to donate with purpose, please see the Resilience Response Initiative through Global Citizen.

Disaster resilience also means divestment from fossil fuels extraction from our oceans and lands, as this process is corrosive to our planet and leads to instability. Not to mention, the use of fossil fuels emits chemicals which warms the planet leading to the acidification of our oceans and the rising of the waters.

Check out more work from our story map:

Conclusion

At Youth4Nature, we understand that the work we do is not abstract. The climate and ecological crises are unfortunately real, they’re scary, and they’re affecting people’s lives today. While we’re all in awe of the power of nature, we know that its force can be destructive. We intend to address this duality and always work to coexist with nature.

When a natural disaster strikes unexpectedly, we hope that you will now have the resources to help support yourself, your loved ones, and others in your community. Until we have a safer world, the best way to sustain and maintain ecological, economical, and emotional resilience through these frightening times is by planning ahead and ensuring that you’re as well-prepared as possible.

If you’re interested in helping to fight these crises and work to reduce the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, please reach out to our team to learn more!

Sources:

Introduction (wildfires and hurricanes in North America):

How to be Prepared (United States of America):

Implications of Natural Disasters: