Why did we undertake this study?
Global processes, such as climate change and international relations, are reshaping the characteristics and scales of modern crises, including the frequency and intensity of natural hazards (e.g., bushfires, floods, droughts) and geopolitical events (e.g., trade disputes, terrorism, conflict). Understanding how regions approach crisis management within this shifting global landscape for different hazards enables better planning and response.
How was it done?
We examined regional crisis management approaches to geopolitical events and natural hazards in the Sunshine Coast, Australia, and Gotland, Sweden. The study explored: (i) the governance arrangements for crisis management and related planning issues; (ii) the influence of community risk perceptions on institutional response capacities; and (iii) the potential value in approaching regional crisis
management through a more holistic and global perspective.
What did we find?
Crises managed by local authorities are shaped by processes beyond their jurisdictional boundaries. Climate change, geopolitical tensions, and other processes challenge traditional management boundaries and approaches to crisis planning and response. Consequently, future crisis management is dependent on: (i) improved public-private partnerships; (ii) increased public and political salience of potential crises; and (iii) planning approaches that take a more systemic approach to crises, including external factors (e.g. the geopolitical circumstances from local to international scales, and links between policy problems such as gender inequality and resulting domestic violence).
What are the implications?
The findings suggest regional crisis management must approach planning and response through a more holistic and international perspective. As the global landscape for disaster risk and crises continues to shift, the preparedness and success of regional crisis management depends on how effective local governments are at adapting to changing circumstances and collaborating with stakeholders both within the local government area and beyond.
Want more information?
The full paper is available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-5871.12503
Citation: Raikes J, Smith TF, Powell N, Thomsen DC, Friman E, Kronlid D, & Sidle R. (2021). Crisis management: A comparison of geopolitical crises and natural hazards. Geographical Research, 1-11
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council Discovery Projects Funding Scheme (Project FT180100652) and a collaborative research grant from the Sunshine Coast Council and the University of the Sunshine Coast. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and the participants to this study, not necessarily those of the Sunshine Coast Council, the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Australian Government or Australian Research Council. This work contributes to Future Earth Coasts, a Global Research Project of Future Earth. We would like to thank participants for their contributions and acknowledge the significant contributions by John Gallina who is sadly missed.