ABSTRACT
Introduction: three realms of action All around us, the environment is changing. The physical environment and resource availability are being affected by global environmental change, which in turn is being driven by human development and growth. It is becoming more uncertain whether in future we will be able to rely on natural resources for fundamental aspects of our livelihoods. The impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on world oil prices show how uncertainty is not restricted to local or agricultural economies. It feeds into cycles of resource degradation and poverty, affecting both human well-being and the environment. In such cycles, climate change and natural hazards play significant roles,just as the state of development influences their ramifications for society and the environment. On a policy level, these three spheres of influence have become three realms of action; unfortunately, though, action often remains segregated both institutionally and from a disciplinary standpoint, thus not taking advantage of the interrelated nature of the realms. We seek to explore these relationships and to examine how and whether these realms of action can be integrated. In light of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR), held in Kobe,Japan, on 18-22 January 2005, and its outcome strategy, the 'Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-15', this paper compares the policy agendas
on climate change and disaster risk. It argues that both can learn from and strengthen each other by consolidating efforts to reduce effectively the risk posed by climate change and natural hazards, which will in turn support sustainable development processes. Meanwhile, the development process needs to incorporate awareness and understanding of these risks in order to be sustainable. However, considerable challenges are evident.
