G20 Science Academies Recommend International Cooperation and Data Sharing for Natural Disaster Management
The G20 science academies have issued recommendations emphasizing the critical role of international cooperation and advanced technologies in managing natural disasters more effectively. Led by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and including the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the academies highlight that while natural disasters cannot be prevented, better preparedness and rapid response can save lives. They advocate for enhanced data collection, linkage, and analysis, stressing the need for equitable international access to various data types, including geodata (weather, satellite images) and vulnerability data (infrastructure, supply chains, socio-economic conditions). A common data standard is proposed to facilitate cross-border data processing and utilization. The recommendations also underscore the importance of local data usability, ensuring accessibility even during power and network disruptions, and providing international support to countries unable to make necessary invest...
