What disaster can teach us

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Jose and now the earthquakes in Mexico are the latest in an increasing number of natural disasters to devastate lives.

When the data team at The Economist looked at the number of weather-related disasters between 1995 and 2015, it found the frequency of events such as tropical storms, floods, heat waves and earthquakes has increased, and is still rising.

They, like Robert Glasser, the UN’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, warn that urban planners may have to operate on the assumption that more extreme weather events are on the way.

Much has been written about the best ways forward as governments attempt to reconstruct the physical environment.

However, as Thomas Campanella, professor of city planning at Cornell University, points out, rebuilding communities involves more than just erecting buildings.

Campanella says that without community involvement and a sense of belonging, any progress is unlikely to last.

Fiona Walsh at the University of Chicago backs up this viewpoint. Her review of responses to catastrophic events shows that recovery is better — for individuals and for communities — when planners take a community- and family-oriented approach.

Working with the community, she suggests, brings people together, rather than leaving individuals scarred and isolated.

Is there anything you can do to fortify yourself psychologically should you ever become the victim of a natural disaster?

There are three things you can do. Begin by turning the idea of control on its head. Humans like to think they’re in control of their destiny, although this is never entirely the case. Furthermore, this belief only leads to disappointment and self-blame.

Do your best to plan ahead, but don’t assume everything will go your way. Instead of feeling disappointed when things don’t work out, enjoy the occasions when life does go according to plan.

Second, practise daily gratitude. Set aside a few minutes to think about and feel grateful for what you have. Then if you suffer loss, you can at least know you never overlooked what you had while it was yours to enjoy.

Finally, prioritize experiences over material goods. Natural disasters may sweep away your possessions, but they can never rob you of your experiences.