Today is World Oceans Day. In addition to being a source of food, the oceans are essential for human life, as they absorb more than 90% of the excess of atmospheric heat trapped by greenhouse gases. The effects of climate change are disrupting not only marine ecosystems, but the people who depend on them. According to the UN, 40% of the total population lives less than 100 km … [Read more...] about World Oceans Day: how to reduce hydroclimatic risks in cities?
Maricarmen Esquivel
Maricarmen Esquivel es Especialista en Cambio Climático del BID, donde se enfoca en integrar resiliencia y adaptación al cambio climático en proyectos. Sus áreas de especialización incluyen la gestión integrada de riesgos de desastres y cambio climático, política y planificación ambiental, y resiliencia urbana. Se interesa por la interacción entre la vulnerabilidad y los procesos económicos, ambientales y sociales. Antes de unirse al BID, Maricarmen trabajó para el sector urbano del Banco Mundial como analista en gestión del riesgo de desastres. Maricarmen es Economista Ambiental con maestría en Planificación Urbana del MIT y en Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo del London School of Economics. Es originaria de San José, Costa Rica.
Assessing disaster and climate risk is a crucial step to project resilience
A new methodology, created by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), aims to assess disaster and climate change risks in the preparation, implementation, and operational phases of projects, to increase their resilience. The IDB’s ‘Disaster and Climate Change Risk Assessment Methodology’ report, takes a multifaceted and integrated approach to seize adaptational and … [Read more...] about Assessing disaster and climate risk is a crucial step to project resilience
If zero risk does not exist, how to select safe lands?
Finding suitable land to build social infrastructure is a great challenge. Budgets are usually very limited; there are few available lands and often they have legal problems or debts, lack of public services or require additional work besides those of the project itself. In many countries, through intergovernmental agreements, donated land is accepted, which seems to be the … [Read more...] about If zero risk does not exist, how to select safe lands?
Five steps to include disaster risk management in infrastructure projects
The Word disaster originates from the Greek dis (a negative prefix) and astrum (star), indicating a bad omen, whereas resilience comes from re (repeat) and silire (get ahead) – the ability to get back on track and overcome. At the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), we are committed to make all projects RESILIENT whether or not they are exposed to natural disasters. Latin … [Read more...] about Five steps to include disaster risk management in infrastructure projects
What could Climate Change mean for Hydropower in Central America?
One of the most important challenges that Central America (and the LAC region in general) faces this decade is being able to close the infrastructure gap with investments that are sustainable and climate resilient, while encouraging economic growth in the region. In an era of climate change, where too much or too little water is likely to be a leading issue, a sector that is … [Read more...] about What could Climate Change mean for Hydropower in Central America?