Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are neural networks that can process images and identify objects within them. Although these methods of machine learning have been around for a long time, it was only within the past 10 years that the error of image classification was reduced to 15%, leading many companies… read more
Flooding from all directions: How compound flooding threatens urban areas in Oceania
What is Compound Flooding? When it comes to flooding in Oceania, the conversation is often dominated by the danger of sea level rise, as this has become one of the defining characteristics of climate change in the region. However, flooding can occur through other mechanisms, which when excluded from resiliency… read more
Perspectives on Chinese and American HADR in the Indo-Pacific Region
With nearly sixty percent of total disaster-related deaths — more than two million since 1970 — the Indo-Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world. This number should not come as a surprise considering the region’s massive population, the number of people living at or near coastal areas, and… read more
How Prepared is the Kingdom of Tonga?
The Kingdom of Tonga, situated along the South Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” is exceptionally vulnerable to natural disasters including earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and volcanic eruptions. So much so that the 2018 WorldRiskIndex ranked Tonga as the second most disaster-prone country of the 172 covered by the Index. Additionnally, given… read more
Disaster Risk Reduction: How big data plays a role in its ambiguity
Our team had the intent to investigate the true state of Oceania’s Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) efforts. But what seems like a clear topic, quickly turned into a complex web of strategies, policies, and programs that all relate to DRR in some form or another. The problem of trying to… read more
Moving Towards Resiliency: Locating Informal Settlements in Oceania
Informal settlements are growing throughout the world. Their exact locations and populations are difficult to determine, however, given their inherently spontaneous and sporadic nature. Informal settlements are also uniquely vulnerable to environmental hazards, as they often consist of poor quality, semi-permanent structures on marginal land and have limited access to… read more
Comment dit-on le “climate change” en Français? (3/3)
(This blog post completes my three-part series on France’s role as a stakeholder in our considerations of grand strategy. You can find part 1 here and part 2 here.) What are the French stakes in disaster risk reduction in Oceania? And how does the French role influence the United State’s… read more
The Case of Many Indices – A Study of Disaster Risk Reduction Indices
We live in an age of information. Every day, we are collecting even more data that gives us more insight, and when combined with the modern computation power, helps us improve our understanding of our world. Indices leverage this information to standardize previous measurements, and in some cases, even measure… read more
Modeling and Protecting Freshwater Resources for Disaster Resilience
In 2016, a drought on the Marshall Islands caused over 16,000 people to suffer from extreme water shortages. The government declared a state of emergency well after freshwater wells had already been contaminated by seawater, leaving thousands to drink from coconuts for survival. This picture is unfortunately not uncommon for… read more
Shrinking Shores? – Ocean Dynamics and Customizing Adaptation Plans
When it comes to climate vulnerability, one group of people will be particularly challenged: those living on low-lying islands, especially atolls. There’s frequently news about how quickly climate change will necessitate relocation or resettlement but it often focuses on the time at which sea-level rise will cover the land, making… read more