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Tackling climate-driven disasters
2025-10-24
Dr Nibedita S Ray-Bennett, Professor of Risk Management
Tackling climate-driven disasters
When you think of a business school, you might picture boardrooms and balance sheets. But at the University of Leicester School of Business (ULSB), the scope is far broader. Among its researchers is Dr Nibedita Ray-Bennett, Professor of Risk Management, whose work sits at the intersection of climate change, disaster risk reduction, and public health.
As the world gathers for COP30, Professor Ray-Bennett’s research offers a vital reminder: climate change isn’t just an environmental issue – it’s a human one, with life-or-death consequences for vulnerable populations.
Climate change and the rising tide of disasters
“There have always been floods, droughts, and tsunamis,” Professor Ray-Bennett explains. “But climate change is accelerating their frequency and intensity.” She points to data from the World Meteorological Organization, which shows a threefold increase in natural hazards between 2005-2015 and 2015-2023.
This surge in disasters is outpacing human preparedness. “Healthcare systems in disaster-prone areas often struggle to respond effectively,” she says. “We need to equip service providers with the right information so they can support communities – not just during the crisis, but in the aftermath.”
Who dies and why?
Professor Ray-Bennett’s research doesn’t just examine disasters; it investigates avoidable deaths. “Not everyone dies in a flood,” she notes. “So who does? Why? And how?” Her work identifies high-risk groups – often women, children, farm workers, fishers and herders – who bear the brunt of disaster-related fatalities.
In one striking example, she cites the 2007 floods in Bangladesh, where the second leading cause of death wasn’t drowning or disease – it was snake bites. “Snakes seek dry shelter during floods, often ending up in homes. Women and children, who are more likely to be indoors, face the greatest risk. Yet anti-venom is rarely prioritised in disaster relief.”
Bridging the gap between policy and practice
Professor Ray-Bennett argues that effective disaster response requires collaboration across sectors – from urban planners to health agencies. But political instability often hinders progress. “Interventions work best in stable countries. In places like Sudan or Afghanistan, where disasters are most frequent, the need is greatest, but the challenges are steep.”
To address these gaps, she champions locally relevant, scalable, and sustainable solutions, such as:
- Local-level action networks for grassroots engagement
- Knowledge exchange networks to connect experts and stakeholders
- Case stations for avoidable deaths to connect with high-risk populations and reduce disaster risks.
Turning research into action
Professor Ray-Bennett is not just a researcher, she’s a changemaker. She co-founded the Avoidable Deaths Network and launched the International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD), which takes place annually on 12 March. She also leads the Leicester Institute for Environmental Futures research challenge ‘Climate Risk’ and the School of Business’s innovative MSc in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management, helping professionals around the world build resilience in their communities.
Why this matters at COP30
As global leaders debate climate policy at COP30, Professor Ray-Bennett’s work reminds us that climate resilience must include public health, equity, and preparedness. Her research shows that disaster deaths are not inevitable – they’re avoidable, if we act with foresight, compassion, and collaboration we can shape a world where fewer lives are lost and more are protected.