148
gradually rising water levels, and there is some evidence that the Maldives may have
originated during a period of sea level rise, as noted by Kench et al. (2005).
Thus, it is clear that a variety of time scales and mechanisms must be taken into
account when considering the long-term sustainability of small low-lying island
nations. Currently, scientific knowledge regarding what is mostly likely to happen
is incomplete, and much depends on what happens to coral reefs along different
time scales, which in turn will determine the types of adaptation strategies that are
required. If corals adapt within decades, the morphological resilience of the islands
may prove sufficient to avert disaster, as their inhabitants can resort to rising the
islands using dredged materials or coral stones (providing that the biological limits
of sediment supply are not breached). When considering longer time scales, it is
more difficult to see how a good solution can be reached unless corals adapt, though
a number of options could be available.
7.4 Conclusions
In the present chapter the authors have attempted to show how the time scale through
which a sustainability scientist looks at a problem will clearly influence disaster
preparedness and management. Looking at these issues is indispensable for examining the sustainability of human life and well-being in the face of natural hazards,
and for attempting to develop measures to improve the resilience of human societies. Such kind of measures should always carefully consider the different stakeholders and actors involved in order to attempt to arrive at a holistic assessment of the
problem, taking into account present conditions and how things are likely to change
in the middle to long term (hence once again the importance of looking at different
time scales).
To illustrate the issues involved, the chapter presented two different types of hazards, namely that of tsunamis and the problems that will be brought about by sea
level rise and ocean acidification (and the consequences it will have on coral reefs).
Then, the case study of the reconstruction of Otsuchi town in northeastern Japan after
the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Tsunami and small islands of the coast of Bohol following the 2013 Bohol Earthquake in the Philippines, were presented. The discussion of
both cases proved that the solutions to any given problem depend on the time scale
considered, though much uncertainty exists about the likely future consequences and
return periods of any given hazard. This highlights the need for more research on the
topic of natural hazards taking into account long-term sustainability, in order to
attempt to improve resilience and minimize the consequences of such events.
Acknowledgements A part of the present work was performed as a part of activities of Research
Institute of Sustainable Future Society, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering,
Waseda University.
M. Esteban et al.
gradually rising water levels, and there is some evidence that the Maldives may have
originated during a period of sea level rise, as noted by Kench et al. (2005).
Thus, it is clear that a variety of time scales and mechanisms must be taken into
account when considering the long-term sustainability of small low-lying island
nations. Currently, scientific knowledge regarding what is mostly likely to happen
is incomplete, and much depends on what happens to coral reefs along different
time scales, which in turn will determine the types of adaptation strategies that are
required. If corals adapt within decades, the morphological resilience of the islands
may prove sufficient to avert disaster, as their inhabitants can resort to rising the
islands using dredged materials or coral stones (providing that the biological limits
of sediment supply are not breached). When considering longer time scales, it is
more difficult to see how a good solution can be reached unless corals adapt, though
a number of options could be available.
7.4 Conclusions
In the present chapter the authors have attempted to show how the time scale through
which a sustainability scientist looks at a problem will clearly influence disaster
preparedness and management. Looking at these issues is indispensable for examining the sustainability of human life and well-being in the face of natural hazards,
and for attempting to develop measures to improve the resilience of human societies. Such kind of measures should always carefully consider the different stakeholders and actors involved in order to attempt to arrive at a holistic assessment of the
problem, taking into account present conditions and how things are likely to change
in the middle to long term (hence once again the importance of looking at different
time scales).
To illustrate the issues involved, the chapter presented two different types of hazards, namely that of tsunamis and the problems that will be brought about by sea
level rise and ocean acidification (and the consequences it will have on coral reefs).
Then, the case study of the reconstruction of Otsuchi town in northeastern Japan after
the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Tsunami and small islands of the coast of Bohol following the 2013 Bohol Earthquake in the Philippines, were presented. The discussion of
both cases proved that the solutions to any given problem depend on the time scale
considered, though much uncertainty exists about the likely future consequences and
return periods of any given hazard. This highlights the need for more research on the
topic of natural hazards taking into account long-term sustainability, in order to
attempt to improve resilience and minimize the consequences of such events.
Acknowledgements A part of the present work was performed as a part of activities of Research
Institute of Sustainable Future Society, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering,
Waseda University.
M. Esteban et al.