Natural disasters, the role of schools in raising awareness of risk

Natural disasters are one of the most significant challenges facing human societies today, due to the complexity of their environmental, social and economic impacts, as well as their increasing frequency and intensity. In Portugal, forest fires are particularly significant, responsible for vast areas of burnt land, soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and, tragically, numerous human casualties (ICNF, 2022; Tedim et al., 2016). On the other hand, coastal regions, such as São Martinho do Porto, are exposed to geodynamic risks, namely tsunamis, which, although rare, can have potentially catastrophic consequences for local populations, infrastructure and economic activities (Queirós et al., 2019; IPMA, 2020).

In this type of natural process, there are risk factors that can trigger both types of disasters. In the case of fires, climatic factors such as heat waves, prolonged droughts and changes in the amount and frequency of precipitation are particularly important, as they favour the accumulation of dry biomass and increase the risk of landscape combustion. These are compounded by anthropogenic factors, such as rural abandonment, property fragmentation and inadequate land management, which contribute to the spread and difficulty of controlling fires (Lourenço & Nunes, 2017; Tedim et al., 2016). With regard to tsunamis, there is concern about the activity at the boundary between the African and Eurasian plates, which is capable of generating large underwater earthquakes and displacements of the ocean floor, giving rise to high-energy waves that can quickly reach the Portuguese coast (Baptista & Miranda, 2009; Queirós et al., 2019).

Considering the location of the São Martinho do Porto School, in a vulnerable coastal area, and the national context of high fire risk, the school has developed a set of educational activities aimed at 7th and 8th grade students, integrated into the national Natural Sciences curriculum. These activities include the exploration of real data, simulations, analysis of risk maps and evacuation drills, with the aim of promoting scientific literacy, understanding of natural processes and the adoption of self-protection behaviours. According to international guidelines for disaster risk reduction education (UNESCO, 2021), empowering young people plays a key role in building more informed, prepared and resilient communities capable of reducing vulnerability and mitigating the impacts of natural disasters.

 

Bibliographical references

APA – Portuguese Environment Agency (2023). State of the Environment Report 2023. Lisbon: APA.

ICNF – Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (2022). 6th Provisional Report on Rural Fires. Lisbon: ICNF.

IPMA – Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (2020). Seismic and tsunami risk in mainland Portugal. Lisbon: IPMA.

Lourenço, L. & Nunes, A. (2017). Forest fires in Portugal: natural and human factors. Coimbra: University of Coimbra Press.

Queirós, M., Fonseca, J. & Baptista, M. A. (2019). Tsunami hazard in the Portuguese coast: past events and future scenarios. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 19, 255–270.

Tedim, F., Leone, V. & McCaffrey, S. (2016). Defining extreme wildfire events: difficulties, challenges, and impacts. Fire, 1(1), 9.

UNESCO (2021). Tsunami Risk Reduction and Education in Coastal Areas. Paris: UNESCO.