Natural Disater

The article called "Risk and regulation: can improved government action reduce the impacts on natural disasters?" discusses the importance and conflicts that comes with setting rules and codes for building structures in different countries. One of the points that are given as to why the rules and codes for building structures should be more strongly enforced is because if buildings are able to survive strong storms, then lives will be saved and less money will be used on rebuilding the structures. However, one of the many problems that countries are facing in enforcing the rules and codes for buildings is that not every country has the professionals needed to understand what the rules and codes are from another country. Also, the rules and codes are not mandatory in all countries. Additionally, there is a "lack of project supervision and building control," so therefore it is difficult to make sure that all of the rules and codes are being met with each structure (Robin, Spence). I believe that it is important to keep people safe in any situation. That is why I think that every country should have the same basic standards for buildings, but also set their own complex standards. For example, every country should strictly enforce a maximum height for every building because it has been proven that "when implemented, [the codes] can have a significant effect of disaster reduction" (Robin, Spence). However, each country should be allowed to set their own standards, such as a minimum window requirement or door exits per building. That way, it is easier for people in each country to understand what the rules and codes are. In addition, rules and codes can be set for certain locations based on the previous natural disasters and the damage caused by them. However, the safety of the structure of buildings should not be sacrificed because of the difficulty in understanding the rules and codes. By enforcing the rules and codes more, communities will have less damage done to them and money will be saved. Overall, safer structures help protect everyone for any natural disasters. Another example is if structures were built with stronger materials, then during an earthquake, the building will have a decreased chance of falling down. Otherwise, buildings could possibly fall, and therefore, lives will be taken, people can be injured, and jobs may be lost. For those countries that are poorer and cannot afford materials for stronger buildings, I think other countries should try and donate materials. Just because a country may be poorer than another, does not mean people cannot help each other out. It is important to help anyone who needs help because one day you may be the one depending on help from others, and by donating materials for stronger and safer buildings, and then many lives can be saved.

There are also other difficulties in the world besides the conflict about rules and codes for building structures in many countries. As described in "Understanding global natural disasters and the role of earth observation," a major issue is dealing with the communication and research before and after a natural disaster occurs. For instance, an earthquake causes damage but the problems are "multiplied by the impossibility of accurate and timely forecasting, and afterwards by difficulty in timely response rescue efforts" (Huadong, Guo). Unfortunately, earthquakes are sudden and unplanned, and therefore