2.4 GEL Flashcards
what is environmental stewardship?
refers to action taken by individuals or groups, to protect, care for or responsibly use the environment to pursue environmental and / or social outcomes. Their actions should seek to conserve natural resource, preserve the existing natural environment, repair damages and reverse the negative impacts caused by humans to ensure its sustainability. builds sustainable urban neighbourhoods.
how can environmental stewardship be achieved?
promoting volunteerism among neighbourhood residents to share knowledge with others about the importance of healthy ecosystem. this helps residents become more aware of what they can do and should do to responsibly use and protect natural environment.
example: NParks promotes volunteerism in communities through ground-led initiatives such as Friends Of The Parks. participants gain greater community ownership and stewardship of park in their neighbourhoods. This contributes to environmental stewardship efforts
different stakeholders may have different perspectives, resources and expertise to enhance the environmental stewardship efforts.
example: NEA engages residents on importance of waste recycling as well as what should be recycled. residents play a vital role in proper recycling waste, public agencies enhance awareness and education, while private stakeholders provide recycling facilities. environmental stewardship efforts can be enhances and sustained.
what is disaster risk?
likelihood of damage to properties, injures, and loss of lives from a disaster in a given period of time.
nature of hazard: characteristics of hazard
vulnerability: conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors which my increase the likeliness of people and their belongings to the impacts of hazards.
exposure: the situation of people and their belongings located in hazard prone areas
what is disaster risk management?
refers to plans and actions that are implemented to preset new risks from happening, reduce existing risks and manage disaster risks. this strengthens community resilience
what does disaster risk management reduce?
-neighbourhood’s exposure to hazards
-vulnerability of people and properties to hazards
example: sg has comprehensive disaster risk management plan. SCDF responds to disasters while town councils cooperate with other government agencies in securing public safety and preventing disease/ injuries
what does SG disaster risk management focus on?
-improving residents’ emergency preparedness to respond to natural and technological hazards.
example: SCDF conducts a community emergency preparedness (CEPP) which focuses on key lifesaving skills and emergency procedures
-implementation of monitoring and warning systems
example: SCDF has a public warning system (PWS) which is a network of sirens placed at strategic points throughout the city. it warns public of imminent threats that may endanger lives and property such as natural and man-made disasters
what is community resilience?
refers to the ability of a community to resist, adapt to and recover from impacts of disasters in a timely and efficient manner.
how is community resilience developed?
strengthening relationships among residents & raising their awareness of potential hazards. developing residents’ ability to organise themselves and equip themselves with resources to resist, adapt and recover from a disaster.
how to strengthen relationships among residents and raise their awareness of potential hazards?
disaster risk management plans in neighbourhoods may only be effective and sustainable if there is widespread support and long-term participation from residents. residents will be encouraged to get to know neighbours so they can depend on each other during emergency.
example: the people’s association (PA) organises a wide range of community activities aimed at fostering positive relationships, amongst residents living in the neighbourhood.
how to develop residents’ ability to organise themselves and equip themselves to resist, adapt and recover from a disaster?
allow residents in neighbourhood to involve themselves in planning process. when they actively participate in projects to minimise potential hazards in the neighbourhood, they can better understand risks and adaption options to communicate to planners.
example: in sg, community first responders (CFRs) volunteers support government in search and rescue operations, relief work and educating public on simple first-aid and firefighting skills. CFR are also alerted to minor rubbish chutes and bin fires within immediate vicinity and help put out fire. this optimised SCDF emergency resources to attend to life threatening and higher priority cases.
