The window of opportunity: Linking climate history and storms

Abstract

High magnitude storms have impacted coastal maritime communities, instigating national government responses. Storm catastrophes can open a ‘window of opportunity’ that enables the implementation of new long-term disaster risk reduction measures. Analysis of historical storm events using written newspaper records identified the Royal Charter storm of 1859 as a catastrophe that opened a window of opportunity. The resulting actions prompted the first national (UK) storm early warning systems which continue today as the Meteorological Office forecasts. This historical case study demonstrates how the effective use of the window of opportunity can instigate beneficial long-term change that decreases vulnerability. However, policies emerging from such windows of opportunity must consider the diverse cause of catastrophe and avoid overreliance on top-down technocracy, instead promoting community engagement and autonomy for sustained success. Environmental history can contribute to improving the understanding of the limitations of technocracy and the importance of community agency in enhancing hazard understanding and effective early warning systems.