Anthropocene flooding: Challenges for science and society
April 15, 2020 - Razavi, Saman; Gober, Patricia; Maier, Holger R.; Brouwer, Roy; Wheater, Howard
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Abstract: Flood events have devastating impacts on communities around the world, resulting in loss of life, property damage and severe disruption to national economies and global trade. The frequency of such flood events has increased significantly over the past few decades, to the point where flooding is now the most common type of natural hazard (Figure 1). The increasing severity of disastrous floods, particularly in regions where flow regimes are heavily engineered and regulated by many dams, reservoir and other infrastructure, challenge current science-policy paradigms with respect to flood risk and undermine public trust in flood risk management. We argue for new scientific paradigms and tools that capture the profound uncertainty and complexity surrounding climate, environment and societal futures. Also needed is more robust public participation in flood management processes to raise awareness of trade-offs endemic to Anthropocene flood management.
Type of Publication: Article