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Climate Change, Disaster Risks, and Human Security pp 373–386Cite as

Addressing Climate Change and the Risks of Disaster to Human Security: The Role and Initiatives of Civil Societies in Asia

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Part of the Disaster Risk Reduction book series (DRR)

Abstract

Natural disasters and climate change affect human security as they undermine access to livelihood, clean water, food, property, homes, health care, and education. There are strong links among climate change adaptation (CCA), disaster risk reduction (DRR), and human security. Therefore, creating communities resilient to climate change and disasters enhances human security, and engagement by multiple stakeholders is crucial. In particular, involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) is necessary to meet the present challenges to both CCA and DRR. Depending on the type of CSO, support and contributions vary. Nongovernment organizations (NGOs) customarily have knowledge, experience, and project funds. International NGOs (INGOs) are particularly significant in countries that cannot prioritize CCA and DRR because they confront other intractable issues. National and local NGOs understand the communities’ challenges, but they have smaller budgets and less experience than INGOs. Adequately funded national and local NGOs could be ideal partners for communities, but when resources are inadequate, CCA and DRR initiatives require support from INGOs and international organizations. CSO networks can assist national and local CSOs in developing capacity, strengthening knowledge, supplying tools and guidance, and providing opportunity to meet donors. This chapter review challenges to implementing CCA and DRR projects by CSOs and CSO networks and shares case studies of ongoing projects in Indonesia, Afghanistan, the Philippines. It discusses how CSOs have contributed to CCA and DRR, and their implementation.

Keywords

  • Civil society organizations
  • Climate change
  • Disaster risk reduction
  • Asia

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Fig. 18.1

(photo provided by YEU)

Fig. 18.2

(photo provided by YEU)

Fig. 18.3

(photo provided by CWS Japan)

Fig. 18.4

(photo provided by CWS Japan)

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Acknowledgements

The author’s heartfelt appreciation goes to Ms Hepi Rahmawati (YEU), Mr. Takeshi Komino (CWS Japan), and Mr Red Batario (CCJD) whose comments and information were of inestimable value for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Tohoku, Japan

    Takako Izumi

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  1. Takako Izumi
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Correspondence to Takako Izumi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, College of Forestry & Natural Resources (CFNR), University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

    Juan M. Pulhin

  2. Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan

    Makoto Inoue

  3. Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan

    Prof. Rajib Shaw

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Izumi, T. (2021). Addressing Climate Change and the Risks of Disaster to Human Security: The Role and Initiatives of Civil Societies in Asia. In: Pulhin, J.M., Inoue, M., Shaw, R. (eds) Climate Change, Disaster Risks, and Human Security. Disaster Risk Reduction. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8852-5_18

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