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1 – 10 of over 6000Kendra Abkowitz Brooks and James Clarke
The purpose of this paper is to describe a risk-based methodology developed to identify the severity of impacts to various types of infrastructure located within the Tennessee…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a risk-based methodology developed to identify the severity of impacts to various types of infrastructure located within the Tennessee State Park system when exposed to extreme weather events. Infrastructure systems, composed of various assets, are central to the economic, environmental and cultural functioning of the society. Understanding the potential impacts to these assets from various threats is fundamental to prudent strategic, operational and financial decision-making. Among infrastructure, systems of interest are those managed and operated by park services. Such systems are particularly exposed to extreme weather, given the recreational activities that they provide.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes a risk-based methodology developed to identify the severity of impacts to various types of infrastructure located within the Tennessee State Park system when exposed to extreme weather events. It consists of the following steps: identifying extreme weather event types experienced in Tennessee; assessing damage to various types of park system infrastructure caused by these events; and deriving an overall impact score associated with specific types of park system infrastructure when exposed to certain types of extreme weather scenarios.
Findings
In applying this methodology, tornadic events were found to be most impactful, whereas drought and heat events had the least effect on park infrastructure. Dining and lodging infrastructure were found to incur the most damage, regardless of the weather event type.
Originality/value
The approach as described in this paper is transferable to other park systems as well as public sector assets in general.
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Edimilson Costa Lucas, Wesley Mendes-Da-Silva and Gustavo Silva Araujo
Managing the risks associated to world food production is an important challenge for governments. A range of factors, among them extreme weather events, has threatened food…
Abstract
Purpose
Managing the risks associated to world food production is an important challenge for governments. A range of factors, among them extreme weather events, has threatened food production in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of extreme rainfall events on the food industry in Brazil, a prominent player in this industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use the AR-GARCH-GPD hybrid methodology to identify whether extreme rainfall affects the stock price of food companies. To do so, the authors collected the daily closing price of the 16 food industry companies listed on the Brazilian stock exchange (B3), in January 2015.
Findings
The results indicate that these events have a significant impact on stock returns: on more than half of the days immediately following the heavy rain that fell between 28 February 2005 and 30 December 2014, returns were significantly low, leading to average daily losses of 1.97 per cent. These results point to the relevance of the need for instruments to hedge against weather risk, particularly in the food industry.
Originality/value
Given that extreme weather events have been occurring more and more frequently, financial literature has documented attempts at assessing the economic impacts of weather changes. There is little research, however, into assessing the impacts of these events at corporate level.
Propósito
O gerenciamento de riscos associados à produção mundial de alimentos é um desafio importante para governantes. Diversos fatores, entre eles os eventos climáticos extremos, têm ameaçado a produção de alimentos nos últimos anos. Neste artigo nós analisamos o impacto de eventos de chuvas extremas na indústria de alimentos no Brasil, um dos maiores produtores mundiais.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Empregamos a metodologia híbrida AR-GARCH-GPD para verificar se chuvas extremas afetam o preço das ações das empresas de alimentos. Para isso, coletamos os preços de fechamento diário de 16 empresas do setor de alimentos listadas na Bolsa de Valores do Brasil [B]3, em janeiro de 2015.
Resultados
Os resultados sugerem que esses eventos exercem impacto significante sobre o retorno das ações: em mais da metade dos dias imediatamente posteriores à chuva extrema ocorrida entre 28/02/2005 e 30/12/2014, os retornos foram significantemente baixos, levando a perdas médias diárias próximas de 1,97%. Esses resultados apontam para a relevância da necessidade de instrumentos para proteção contra riscos climáticos, particularmente na indústria de alimentos.
Originalidad/valor
Tendo em vista que eventos climáticos extremos têm ocorrido com uma frequência cada vez maior, a literatura de finanças tem documentado tentativas de avaliar os impactos econômicos das mudanças climáticas. No entanto, nota-se a carência de pesquisas para avaliar os impactos desses eventos no nível das empresas.
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Jane Carthey, Venny Chandra and Martin Loosemore
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of FM preparedness required to deal with the risks to healthcare delivery posed by climate change‐related extreme weather…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of FM preparedness required to deal with the risks to healthcare delivery posed by climate change‐related extreme weather events.
Design/methodology/approach
Selected stakeholders were invited to participate in targeted focus groups that, using the ROMS methodology, explored the status of current knowledge and preparedness of the NSW health system to deal with the expected demands imposed by increasing incidences of extreme weather events. Findings are summarised and discussed in terms of the key stakeholder objectives identified. Further areas of required research are then discussed.
Findings
The key objectives of the stakeholders were readily agreed, however a lack of information regarding the quantifiable impacts forecast to be associated with climate change constrained the development of other than generic strategies for dealing with these impacts. Further areas of research included assessment of changing demand for health services, likely physical impacts on facilities and their adequacy in coping with these, implementation strategies for augmenting coping capacity and associated costs, plus the need for integrating disaster planning and management strategies to ensure the continuity of operation of health facilities during extreme weather events.
Originality/value
The paper outlines the status of current knowledge regarding the likely impact of climate change‐related extreme weather events on healthcare infrastructure. It explores key issues and determines where future work should be undertaken to ensure that rigorous FM responses are available to cope with a clear and identified threat to the health of the Australian, and similar communities.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of extreme weather on tourism events through the perceptions of participants, using the case of the 2017 Cape Town Cycle…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of extreme weather on tourism events through the perceptions of participants, using the case of the 2017 Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT).
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilized a survey method to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed online to would-be participants in the cancelled 2017 CTCT. The questionnaire included both fixed-response and open-ended questions.
Findings
The results show that participants experienced mixed emotions to event cancellation. Most felt that the weather conditions warranted cancellation, but some concerns emerged as to how the cancellation was managed. In addition, many felt that the organization of the race needs to be rethought due to numerous negative weather experiences in recent years.
Research limitations/implications
The findings in this study are exploratory. They focus on a single event in one city. However, they provide important initial insight into how sporting event participants react to the negative impacts of extreme weather.
Practical implications
These results have important management implications in addressing the impact of weather on the events sector. They are significant in understanding best practice with regard to managing participants in the case of weather impacts on an event. They also demonstrate interesting results with regard to participant loyalty among active sport events tourists.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is in its extension of the broad discussion of the impact of extreme weather and climate change on tourism to the events sector. The implications of changing weather and climatic patterns on events, particularly mass-participation sporting events, are clear and need to be considered in order to effectively manage future impacts on this important economic sector. This is done by providing insight into how participants respond to these types of circumstances.
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Mohamed Arouri, Adel Ben-Youssef and Cuong Viet Nguyen
In this study, the authors examine the push and pull effects of extreme weather events on migration among governorates in Egypt.
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, the authors examine the push and pull effects of extreme weather events on migration among governorates in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach
To estimate the effect of extreme weather events on internal migration, the authors use migration gravity models and data from the 1996 and 2006 Population and Housing Censuses. The authors measure weather extremes by the number of months in the past 36 months with temperatures or precipitation of a governorate below the 5th percentile and above the 95th percentile of the distribution of monthly temperatures or precipitation of the corresponding governorate during the period 1900–2006.
Findings
This study’s results suggest that high temperatures in the origin area act as a push factor. High-temperature extremes have a positive effect on out-migration. A 1% increase in the number of months with high-temperature extremes in the original governorate results in a 0.1% increase in the number of out-migrants.
Practical implications
The study suggests that people may respond to weather extremes through migration. However, climate migrants in Egypt may encounter several significant risks that authorities must address.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first attempts to measure the push and pull effect of weather extremes on migration in Egypt.
Details
Keywords
The political and economic implications of greater scientific understanding of extreme weather events.
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB205449
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
– The purpose of this paper is to present problems related to the assessment of losses and expenditures caused by weather and climate-related events in Poland.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present problems related to the assessment of losses and expenditures caused by weather and climate-related events in Poland.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected by the direct questionnaire method from selected national and regional/local administration units.
Findings
The direct losses in 2001-2011 were estimated at more than PLN56 billion. The greatest losses were estimated in agriculture and infrastructure. The total amount of losses were estimated at PLN90 billion. In 2001-2011, more than PLN45 billion was spent in Poland on recovery and prevention of the impacts of extreme events, with a large part of it consisting of damages and benefits paid out by insurance companies.
Research limitations/implications
Given the limitations related to the method for collecting information, the results may be underestimated. It is well-advised to consider information on such a type of uncertainty in the course of the future research.
Practical implications
The results are of large importance for the building of public awareness and the making of political and investment-related decisions.
Originality/value
The estimates given in the paper are the first presentation of losses and expenditures caused by all the extreme events in the Polish territory which has been prepared on the basis of so many official information sources. The determination of “bottlenecks” related to the existing method for collecting information is a first step toward its improvement.
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Gayan Wedawatta, Bingunath Ingirige, Keith Jones and David Proverbs
The UK experienced a number of Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) during recent years and a significant number of businesses were affected as a result. With the intensity and frequency…
Abstract
Purpose
The UK experienced a number of Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) during recent years and a significant number of businesses were affected as a result. With the intensity and frequency of weather extremes predicted in the future, enhancing the resilience of businesses, especially of Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises (SMEs), who are considered as highly vulnerable, has become a necessity. However, little research has been undertaken on how construction SMEs respond to the risk of EWEs. In seeking to help address this dearth of research, this investigation sought to identify how construction SMEs were being affected by EWEs and the coping strategies being used.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed methods research design was adopted to elicit information from construction SMEs, involving a questionnaire survey and case study approach.
Findings
Results indicate a lack of coping strategies among the construction SMEs studied. Where the coping strategies have been implemented, these were found to be extensions of their existing risk management strategies rather than radical measures specifically addressing EWEs.
Research limitations/implications
The exploratory survey focused on the Greater London area and was limited to a relatively small sample size. This limitation is overcome by conducting detailed case studies utilising two SMEs whose projects were located in EWE prone localities. The mixed method research design adopted benefits the research by presenting more robust findings.
Practical implications
A better way of integrating the potential of EWEs into the initial project planning stage is required by the SMEs. This could possibly be achieved through a better risk assessment model supported by better EWE prediction data.
Originality/value
The paper provides an original contribution towards the overarching agenda of resilience of SMEs and policy making in the area of EWE risk management. It informs both policy makers and practitioners on issues of planning and preparedness against EWEs.
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Martin Loosemore, Vivien Chow and Denny McGeorge
A predicted increase in climate change-related extreme weather events will present hospitals with new health-related and physical risks which were not originally anticipated in…
Abstract
Purpose
A predicted increase in climate change-related extreme weather events will present hospitals with new health-related and physical risks which were not originally anticipated in building and infrastructure designs. Markus et al.'s building systems model is used to analyse a range of adaptive strategies to cope with such events. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Focus group interviews were conducted with a wide range of hospital stakeholders across three case study hospitals in Australia and New Zealand which have experienced extreme weather events.
Findings
It is concluded that effective adaptive strategies must balance responses across different organisational sub-systems. Contrary to previous research, the findings indicate that hospital managers do see hospital infrastructure as an important component of disaster response. However, it is the least adaptable of all response subsystems, making other options more attractive in the heat of a crisis.
Research limitations/implications
A focus on three case studies allowed the researchers to explore in-depth the experiences of stakeholders who had experienced extreme weather events. While producing highly valid results, the inherent limitation of this approach is the lack of breath. So further case studies are needed to generalise from the results.
Practical implications
Recommendations are made to improve the adaptive capacity of healthcare facilities to cope with the future health challenges of climate change risk.
Originality/value
By acknowledging that no one group holds all the knowledge to deal with extreme weather events, this paper capture the collective knowledge of all key stakeholders who have a stake in the process of responding effectively to such an event. It shows that hospital adaptation strategies cannot be considered in isolation from the surrounding emergency management systems in which a hospital is imbedded.
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Martin Loosemore, Jane Carthey, Venny Chandra and Anumitra Mirti Chand
The future of healthcare delivery will depend in part on the adaptive capacity of hospital infrastructure required to respond to the predicted physical and health‐related impacts…
Abstract
Purpose
The future of healthcare delivery will depend in part on the adaptive capacity of hospital infrastructure required to respond to the predicted physical and health‐related impacts of climate change. The purpose of this paper is to assess the vulnerabilities and opportunities of existing hospital facilities faced with climate‐related extreme weather events and to identify adaptive strategies that will enable existing hospital facilities to assist rather than hinder healthcare continuity and quality during these events.
Design/methodology/approach
Four major hospitals in Australia and New Zealand, significantly exposed to climate change‐associated extreme weather event risks, were selected as case studies. A risk management workshop was conducted for each case study using the risk and opportunity management system methodology.
Findings
The preliminary findings identified several key objectives associated with responding to the impact of extreme weather events on healthcare infrastructure. Assuming the overall aim of ensuring continuity of service delivery, the common objectives are: guaranteeing the availability of essential (building) services; maintaining the physical integrity of the hospital; supporting effective inter‐agency communication; and providing access to and from the hospital for staff and patients.
Research limitations/implications
Given Australia's relatively high exposure to climate extremes, the social, economic and health benefits of developing hospital adaptation strategies to mitigate risks and maximize opportunities in responding are significant.
Practical implications
The outcomes of this research will contribute to a growing evidence base of design and facilities management adaptation strategies for hospitals susceptible to increasing risks of extreme weather events.
Originality/value
The paper presents the first assessment of climate vulnerabilities and opportunities for hospital facilities in Australia and New Zealand.
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