Growing Need for Sophisticated Natural Catastrophy Management

Breadcrumbs: The Future of Ubiquitous computing in 2025 --> Environmental Driving Forces for the Future of ubicomputing --> Growing Need for Sophisticated Natural Catastrophy Management

Description

In 2006 total economic losses of natural catastrophes is estimated to reach USD 40 billion. Although the financial losses are mild compared to 2005 (USD 240 billion), more than 30 000 people lost their lives in 340 either natural or man-made disasters.

The possibilies of using ubiquitous computing to manage disaster situations are endless. Proper in-time information about coming earthquake or tsunami sent to inter-connected systems in people's homes and offices can considerably lower the risk of human casualties. Similar way can be used to effectively inform people about what to do, e.g. after chemical disaster etc. Not to mention that such information is usually available only several minutes before the catastrophy happen. The time issue is therefore crucial.