Disaster recovery
The below table lists some of the potential environmental impacts from different types of disasters:
Type of disaster |
Associated environmental impact |
|---|---|
Cyclone/severe storm |
Loss of vegetation cover and wildlife habitat Short-term heavy rains and flooding inland Mud slides and soil erosion Saltwater intrusion to underground fresh water reservoirs Soil contamination from saline water Damage to offshore coral reefs and natural coastal defence mechanisms Waste (some of which may be hazardous) and debris accumulation Secondary impacts by temporarily displaced people Impacts associated with reconstruction and repair to damaged infrastructure (e.g. deforestation, quarrying, waste pollution) |
Flood |
Ground water pollution through sewage overflow Loss of crops, livestock and livelihood security Excessive siltation (may affect certain fish stocks, dugongs and turtles) River bank damage from erosion Water and soil contamination fertilizers used Secondary impacts by temporarily displaced people Beneficial sedimentation in floodplains or close to river banks |
Drought |
Loss of surface vegetation Loss of biodiversity Forced human displacement Loss of livestock and other productive systems |
Bushfires |
Loss of forest and wildlife habitat Loss of biodiversity Loss of ecosystem services Loss of productive crops Soil erosion Secondary encroachment for settlement or agriculture |
Sourced from UNEP (2008) Environmental Needs Assessment in Post-Disaster Situations: A Practical Guide for Implementation.
Recovering from a disaster
Environmental recovery includes the restoration and regeneration of:
- biodiversity (species and plants) and ecosystems
- natural resources
- environmental infrastructure
- amenity or aesthetics (e.g. scenic lookouts)
- culturally significant sites and heritage structures.
It also includes the management of environmental health, waste, contamination and pollution, and hazardous materials.
Recovering the environment involves the coordinated process of supporting affected communities to:
Identify impacts and risks associated with an event – including air quality, water quality, soil and groundwater, landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife.
- Manage environmental health, waste, contamination and pollution, and hazardous materials.
- Rehabilitate, conserve and supporting the recovery of impacted (or at risk) terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems, wildlife, landscapes, and natural resources.
- Undertake activities to facilitate the restoration and regeneration of biodiversity (species and plants) and ecosystems, natural resources, environmental infrastructure, and amenity/ aesthetics (scenic outlooks).
- Recover and conserve impacted or at risk indigenous cultural heritage values and built heritage places.
- Support long-term community sustainability needs, such as associated with reinstating environmental protections and ecosystem services, and advancing Ecologically Sustainable Development principles in built environment recovery, economic recovery, and waste management.
- Ensure environmental bodies, affected communities and interest groups are involved in decision making process.