Innsbruck conference illuminates catastrophes scientifically
As more extreme weather events, floods and droughts hit the country, it becomes more important to know about disasters of all kinds and how to deal with them. How technologies and scientific knowledge can help in dealing with disasters will be examined at a two-day conference in Innsbruck starting Thursday. In addition to natural hazards per se, there will also be something to counter scientific skepticism in this regard.
A mudslide buries everything under itself
The conference organized by the Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA) and the University of Innsbruck under the motto “Science in the service of protection” will be opened as an example of the priorities, followed by the discussion “From Corona to extreme weather – the role of science and research in handling with disaster risks”. Harald Kainz, chairman of the DCNA and rector of the Graz University of Technology, and Minister of Education Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) will take part in the opening.
According to the organizers, traditional natural hazard topics will be dealt with, such as the safety of dams, the effects of storms and hail, as well as public perception and discussion of forest fires. Current research work and practical reports on alpine natural hazards such as rockfalls and avalanches are also part of the conference. According to DCNA Managing Director Christian Resch, the focus is also on “challenges and opportunity management in times of a pandemic”, “barriers and perspectives of crisis communication”, “resilient to natural hazards such as mass movements, avalanches and earthquakes”, “technologies in crisis and disaster management” (e.g. robotics and virtual reality), as well as “climate change and civil protection” (extreme weather events such as hail, heavy rainfall and forest fires).
Battle of scientific skepticism
According to the Eurobarometer, the prevailing scientific skepticism in Austria is not to be accepted without a fight. Reservations about scientific knowledge have not only been observed in society since the corona pandemic, which is why the conference contributions also deal with the role of science and research in dealing with and communicating disaster risks. “Trust in science is not particularly high in this country. Many people tend to believe in conspiracy myths and fake news instead of relying on a science-based worldview. But science and research play a very crucial role in preventing a catastrophe,” says Resch quoted from a broadcast.
In any case, there is still room for improvement when it comes to education and awareness-raising, according to Resch. “Disaster events as a result of natural hazards are also increasing in Austria and are encountering a rather poorly prepared society,” the disaster manager told APA. The frequently occurring events used to be high water or flooding, but now heat waves, periods of drought and the resulting forest fires are also becoming more commonplace.
“Preventive measures are still not taken or always taken very late,” Resch points out. “How well Austrians prepare for disasters is currently very much dependent on how old they are and in which region they live.” Older generations tend to fill the pantry well, younger people less so. As a rule, households in the country or in regions that are often cut off from the outside world, for example by avalanches or snowfall, are better prepared than those in the city.
170 participants from science, authorities and emergency organizations from Austria and neighboring countries are expected to attend the conference with 31 lectures and 20 poster presentations.
Service: More information about the conference: http://go.apa.at/u3zmQpKn. Focus on APA Science: http://science.apa.at/thema/naturkatastrophen. Current episode of the APA Science podcast “Nerds on Order” with Christian Resch: http://science.apa.at/podcast/#19
(APA/red, Photo: APA/EXPA/JFK)