The number and severity of natural disasters in coastal regions in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have steadily increased over the past two decades, causing significant impact on the economic and social development of many countries in our region and affecting disproportionately the poorest communities. Coastal zones are some of the most vulnerable areas to the … [Read more...] about Four innovative data technologies for nature-based solutions to assess coastal risk
Roberto Guerrero
Roberto Guerrero Compeán es economista de la División de Medio Ambiente, Desarrollo Rural y Gestión de Riesgos de Desastres del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. Ha centrado su investigación en los campos de la gestión del riesgo de desastres, la economía del cambio climático y medioambiente, el combate a la pobreza y la evaluación de programas en América Latina y el Caribe. Su investigación "Vulnerabilidad, subsistencia y calentamiento global en México: El impacto de los choques climáticos en el bienestar social", recibió el primer lugar del Premio Banamex de Economía 2013, otorgado por el Banco Nacional de México. Roberto ha sido economista e investigador del Brooks World Poverty Institute en la Universidad de Manchester, el Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos sobre el Cambio Climático, el Programa Mundial de Alimentos, la Iniciativa de Cambio Climático de la Unesco y la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas en Ginebra. Obtuvo licenciaturas en economía de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León y ciencia política en el Instituto de Estudios Políticos de París. Tiene una maestría en desarrollo internacional y un doctorado en economía del Instituto Tecnológico de Massachusetts.
Too Big to Fail? Why Preserving Our Coasts Is Increasingly Relevant in a Changing Climate.
In December, climate change experts from all over the world will gather in Madrid for the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 25), under the Presidency of Chile. One of the priority topics of COP25 is the nexus of climate and coastal zones. In case you are wondering why we need to talk about coasts at such a high-level event, the answer is simple: coastal … [Read more...] about Too Big to Fail? Why Preserving Our Coasts Is Increasingly Relevant in a Changing Climate.
The simple math of disaster prevention: Flood control works save $2 for every $1 invested
Imagine that you and your family have lived in a lush community and filled with life. In the days of your grandparents, only a few families lived there, but today it is home to about 5,000 people. Imagine also that your house lies in fertile land, between two rivers that frequently overflow from December to March. Imagine then that your house is flooded for days, and the … [Read more...] about The simple math of disaster prevention: Flood control works save $2 for every $1 invested
Seven things you need to know about disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean
On September 19th, 2013 Acapulco was underwater. The second most important beach town in Mexico was hit hard by Hurricane Manuel. In “El Sur”, a newspaper, statements about hundreds of communities completely isolated, “with deaths not yet accounted for and with losses that were still impossible to quantify" were not uncommon. Disasters are not "natural" It is not … [Read more...] about Seven things you need to know about disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean
What Mexico Did to Reduce 80% of its Disaster-related Deaths
Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City’s most emblematic avenue, has the worst soil when it comes to the foundation for buildings. Although an earthquake always has the potential to cause substantial human losses and severe infrastructure damage, this road sits on the ancient lake bed of the Valley of Mexico, and, as a result, its soil – notoriously soft and with a high-water content … [Read more...] about What Mexico Did to Reduce 80% of its Disaster-related Deaths