Japan’s Volcanic Disaster Mitigation Initiatives: Activities of the Commission on Mitigation of Volcanic Disasters, the Volcanological Society of Japan

The Commission on Mitigation of Volcanic Disasters was organized by the Volcanological Society of Japan (VSJ). This commission was set up as a public forum for members and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and views on wide-ranging topics relating to the mitigation of volcanic disasters, to explore possible solutions to various issues pertaining to volcanic disasters and their mitigation, and to put forward recommendations for the benefit of society. In this paper, we present a broad overview of the objectives of this commission, highlighting some of the activities and achievements of the commission to date. The paper also provides an overview of disaster mitigation topics that have been taken up for consideration by the commission.

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Nature’s Pharmacy, Our Treasure Chest: Why We Must Conserve Our Natural Heritage

Medicinal plants grow naturally around us. Over centuries, cultures around the world have learned how to use plants to fight illness and maintain health. These readily available and culturally important traditional medicines form the basis of an accessible and affordable health-care regime and are an important source of livelihood for indigenous and rural populations. Increasingly, medicinal species that reside in natural areas have received scientific and commercial attention. In the United States, of the top 150 prescription drugs, at least 118 are based on natural sources. A child suffering from leukemia in 1960 faced a 10 percent chance of remission; by 1997, the likelihood of remission had been increased to 95 percent thanks to two drugs derived from a wild plant native to Madagascar. But we still know little about the treasure trove inhabiting our wild places. As of 1995, less than 1 percent of all tropical plant species had been screened for potential pharmaceutical applications

Water and carbon cycling

Looking for a quick yet detailed overview of the water and carbon cycles? Look no more! A fantastic resource provided by the RGS to support your studies. It can be accessed here!

Achievements, Gaps, and Emerging Challenges in Controlling Malaria in Ethiopia

Controlling malaria is one of the top health sector priorities in Ethiopia. The concrete prevention, control, and treatment interventions undertaken in the past two decades have substantially reduced the morbidity and mortality attributable to malaria. Emboldened by these past achievements, Ethiopia envisages to eliminate malaria by 2030. Realizing this ambition, however, needs to further strengthen the financial, technical, and institutional capacities to address the current as well as emerging challenges. It particularly needs to step up measures pertaining to diagnosis, domestic resource mobilization, vector surveillance, and seasonal weather forecasting. Read the full article here!

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