PL4 | Socio-economic impacts: exposure, vulnerability, prospectives, and adaptation
Socio-economic impacts: exposure, vulnerability, prospectives, and adaptation
Conveners: Maria-Carmen Llasat, Katerina Papagiannaki, Olga Petrucci

The analysis of the societal impacts of natural hazards has an increasing interest, and many national and international projects have created specific working groups to cope with them. Accurate data on the economic, human, and social impacts of extreme weather events are needed to assess the associated loss and damage and the efficiency of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policies. The different expertise of scientists involved makes such a topic a strong example of a multidisciplinary approach. Observing and assessing the societal impact constitute major tools for improving DRR, including climate change adaptation and the community's resilience to storm risks in the framework of sustainable development. This session aims to provide a multidisciplinary forum for presentations and discussions of our current state of knowledge about the socio-economic impacts of Mediterranean Storms and their evolution in a context of global change, with special consideration of adaptation constraints and tipping points. Many studies have been developed to assess the vulnerability and exposure of societies facing hydrometeorological hazards, especially through impact data collection, back analysis and damage modelling. The last issue deals with the assessment of risk management and different responses developed from different societies and cultural backgrounds, including how the citizens react in front of failures of the authority in charge of their protection. The session also addresses how we communicate and educate the population, policymakers and relevant stakeholders about natural hazards and disaster risk reduction through media and social networks. Furthermore, the session intends to address innovative means and mechanisms developed to achieve effective participation of the citizens in the different phases of risk prevention and management. This session aims to be a meeting point between experts on these matters from universities, research centres, civil protection, and local authorities.

The analysis of the societal impacts of natural hazards has an increasing interest, and many national and international projects have created specific working groups to cope with them. Accurate data on the economic, human, and social impacts of extreme weather events are needed to assess the associated loss and damage and the efficiency of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policies. The different expertise of scientists involved makes such a topic a strong example of a multidisciplinary approach. Observing and assessing the societal impact constitute major tools for improving DRR, including climate change adaptation and the community's resilience to storm risks in the framework of sustainable development. This session aims to provide a multidisciplinary forum for presentations and discussions of our current state of knowledge about the socio-economic impacts of Mediterranean Storms and their evolution in a context of global change, with special consideration of adaptation constraints and tipping points. Many studies have been developed to assess the vulnerability and exposure of societies facing hydrometeorological hazards, especially through impact data collection, back analysis and damage modelling. The last issue deals with the assessment of risk management and different responses developed from different societies and cultural backgrounds, including how the citizens react in front of failures of the authority in charge of their protection. The session also addresses how we communicate and educate the population, policymakers and relevant stakeholders about natural hazards and disaster risk reduction through media and social networks. Furthermore, the session intends to address innovative means and mechanisms developed to achieve effective participation of the citizens in the different phases of risk prevention and management. This session aims to be a meeting point between experts on these matters from universities, research centres, civil protection, and local authorities.