It is time to transform our disastrous development model

The author contends that the current global development model, which prioritizes infrastructure and economic growth, increases disaster risk and must be transformed. Citing the IPCC 1.5°C report and the Sendai Framework, the text emphasizes that sustainable development must address underlying causes such as poverty and inequality. It calls for the 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction to move beyond boardroom discussions and actively incorporate the knowledge of frontline communities and the energized public sector to create inclusive, resilient transformations.

• The prevailing global development model is flawed because it prioritizes economic and infrastructure growth at the expense of human livelihoods and environmental health, which hinders the reduction of disaster risk.
• To manage climate and disaster risks, development must be pragmatic, just, and sustainable, specifically targeting root causes including rampant urban development, unbridled exploitation of natural resources, persistent poverty, and mounting inequalities.
• There is a growing global movement of public action and awareness regarding climate change, evidenced by the rise of Greta Thunberg, the Extinction Rebellion, the UK Parliament's declaration of a climate emergency, and the Green New Deal in the US.
• The 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction should ensure that development transformations are inclusive by incorporating the expertise of frontline communities who experience the most acute climate-related loss and damages.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2019). It is time to transform our disastrous development model. https://www.sei.org/perspectives/it-is-time-to-transform-our-disastrous-development-model/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. It is time to transform our disastrous development model. 2019. https://www.sei.org/perspectives/it-is-time-to-transform-our-disastrous-development-model/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=It is time to transform our disastrous development model |date=16 May 2019 |url=https://www.sei.org/perspectives/it-is-time-to-transform-our-disastrous-development-model/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2019time, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{It is time to transform our disastrous development model}}, publisher = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2019}, month = may, url = {https://www.sei.org/perspectives/it-is-time-to-transform-our-disastrous-development-model/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }