James Lewis

Learning from the history of disaster vulnerability and resilience research and practice for climate change

Humanity has long sought to explain and understand why environmental processes and phenomena contribute to and interfere with development processes, frequently through the terms and concepts of ‘vulnerability’ and ‘resilience’. Many proven ideas and approaches from development and disaster risk reduction literature are not fully considered by contemporary climate change work. This chapter describes the importance of older vulnerability and resilience research for contemporary investigations involving climate change, suggesting ways forward without disciplinary blinkers. Vulnerability and resilience as processes are explored alongside critiques of the post-disaster ‘return to normal’ paradigm. The importance of learning from already existing literature and experience is demonstrated for ensuring that complete vulnerability and resilience processes are accounted for by placing climate change within other contemporary development concerns.

Sea level rise: Some implications for Tuvalu

SummaryMuch current evidence suggests that global temperatures are slowly increasing. It is believed that this increase will be associated with a sea level rise. Tuvalu, approximately 1000 km north of Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean, is one of six countries, all of them island states, that “could face total destruction when sea levels rise…. If sea level rises occur anywhere near the extreme projections that have been made, we can write these nations off the map.” (Pernetta, 1988). This paper examines possible implications to the people of Tuvalu.

Some realities of resilience: a case-study of Wittenberge

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to explore community resilience during the short-term stages of recovery of Wittenberge in 1945, surrender in the final months of the Second World War and the commencement for the town of Soviet administration; with comments on longer-term contexts of continued resilience and recovery to the present day. The paper examines origins and current use of the term “resilience” for comparison with its realities that are identified. Design/methodology/approach – Translated extracts of a chronology of events in Wittenberge during 1945 (Muchow) are the basis of an exploration of social impacts for a town in wartime of exhaustion, defeat, surrender, political change and impoverishment. Findings – Current interpretations of social resilience frequently do not match its reality, largely due to overuse of the word. Resilience is conditioned by circumstances that cannot be assumed, sudden change here being part of the war experience, not a consequence. Research limitations/implications...

The Vulnerable State: An Alternative View

International disaster research designed to develop methods to mitigate the social consequences of disaster rests on a key distinction between the proneness and vulnerability to disaster. The former concept refers to the frequency and magnitude of the physical events that constitute natural disasters; the latter describes and measures the impact of disasters by means of statistical and other methods. James Lewis of the United Kingdom urges a more conscientious adherence to impact analysis by the media, researchers, policy makers, and the public. Only then, he suggests, will the elements of programs for preparedness and prevention become clear, and only then will priorities for international disaster aid begin to relate to the actual human effects of disasters.

The susceptibility of the vulnerable: some realities reassessed

Purpose – This intentionally short paper considers the wide range of interpretations of “vulnerability” since its 1979 adoption in disaster studies and proposes some necessary separation and re-categorisation of its current applications. Design/methodology/approach – The short history of the use of “vulnerability” in disasters studies is examined, contrasting present day contexts with those of its earliest use. Findings – “Vulnerability” is retained for its conventional place-based role, whilst superimposed social and political constraints are allocated to “susceptibility”, a term often used to define “vulnerability”; the two terms taking on equal mutually supportive roles. Separation of the two terms is supported by on example of their realities in war and post-war conditions, together with other examples not in contexts of war. Separation of terms suggests the issue of whether manifestation of vulnerability brings about additional personal susceptibility. Research limitations/implications – Implications...

Some realities of resilience: an updated case study of storms and flooding at Chiswell, Dorset

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reassess Chiswells vulnerability to storm and sea flooding since an analysis made in 1979 and to identify characteristics of resilience, a more recent item of disaster studies terminology. Design/methodology/approach – Chiswells geography, geomorphology and changes affecting its vulnerability up to 1979, are described against its history of storms. Two serious storms in 1978 and 1979 drew attention to Chiswells need of improved protection and a flood alleviation scheme was completed. Some consequences for Chiswell of the completed scheme are described and considered in relation to climate change, Chiswells inclusion in the UNESCO Jurassic Coast and its expression of human ecology in a context of natural hazards of the sea. Findings – Resilience existed before its inclusion in the terminology of disaster studies. The role of a community pressure group and of local and national administrations are considered against the timescale of protection provision. The ess...

Processes of vulnerability in England? Place, poverty and susceptibility

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to emphasise how vulnerability is not only “place-based” and to explore by example how vulnerability to hazards in England may comprise additional economic, social and psychological contributors to poverty. The mutuality of poverty and vulnerability is demonstrated, as are examples of susceptibility of the vulnerable to stigmatic disregard and cruelty. Design/methodology/approach – “Place-based” vulnerability is exemplified by coastal vulnerabilities and causes of their increase. Poverty and its causes are explained, followed by examples of possible contributors, indicators and consequences in incomes, living costs and debt; housing welfare and homelessness; food, nutrition, health and mental ill-health. Susceptibility to stigmatic behaviours exacerbate personal vulnerabilities. Findings – Dynamics of mutual inter-relationships between poverty and vulnerability are demonstrated. Behavioural responses to either condition by individuals and by society at large, to whic...