Geologists urged to help prevent disasters

Geologists urged to help prevent disasters

Geologists must play a greater role to help prevent natural disasters and reduce their impact amid climate change worldwide, a regional congress was told yesterday.

Songpope Polachan, president of the Geological Society of Thailand, said geologists need to play more active roles in designing city planning to prevent possible geological hazards.

"They are satisfied if the government invites them to participate in decision-making about measures to prevent natural disasters and reduce their impacts, particularly flooding," Mr Songpope said.

Mr Songpope was speaking at the 12th regional congress on Geology, Mineral and Energy Resources of Southeast Asia under the theme of "Geoscience in Response to the Changing Earth".

The two-day congress, which ends today, aims to increase public understanding of scientific principles and natural disasters, boost the public's awareness of disaster prevention and reduction, and prepare the public to cope with rumours of disasters.

It is held every three years, with Thailand the host this year.

Attending the congress yesterday were geologists and scientists from 10 Southeast Asian nations.

Mr Songpope said geoscience, which involves all aspects of understanding the Earth, has much to contribute to risk reduction in geohazard processes.

He said this contribution will become more important in the 21st century as the global population approaches 10 billion, causing much greater use of the planet's geological resources such as petrol, coal, underground water, natural gas and minerals.

In addition, he said that climate change in countries around the world will affect the health, safety and well-being of societies.

"So, whatever attempts to preserve geological resources for future generations, to avoid natural disasters, reduce possible damages, and also city planning, those people involved must not forget to discuss [these matters] with geologists," he said.

Read in detail at :- http://www.cdrn.org.in/show.detail.asp?id=23364