Sustainable Development and Disaster Management

Abstract

Disaster is a sudden disturbance to the functioning of a society involving extensive human, material, economic and environmental losses, the intensity and frequency of which keeps varying depending upon several factors including the changes in the climate. Some natural hazards like devastating floods and earthquakes remind us of the nature’s destructive potential, especially who are exploiting nature and its resources in the name of development. Disasters and development are closely linked and have a thin line of difference between them, which if not attended can come with a completely opposite outcome. Humans have the responsibility to ensure the conservation, protection, restoration and sustainable use of the ecosystem. This paper explores the ways to sustainably manage and protect the ecosystem to avoid the adverse impacts and various actions necessary for its restoration. The paper also studies various international agreements and agendas in practice concerning the issue. It also traces the evolution of the concepts and practices of sustainable developments, global warming and the major issues that challenge the ways of disaster management.