We must keep an eye on volcanic activity, otherwise we will experience an environmental crisis that will affect us at all levels, starting with the global economy.

Large volcanic eruptions can release so much material (lava, volcanic rock, toxic gases and CO2, acid rain, among others) into the atmosphere that they modify the planet’s climate.

In June 1991, in the Philippines, the Pinatubo volcano erupted. After the initial explosion, a huge cloud of ash and gas was generated, reaching a height of 34 kilometres in just two hours. Within two weeks, the cloud had spread across the entire planet. Within a year, it had completely covered the planet, causing the average global temperature to drop by 0.9°C that year and the following year.

In 1815 in Indonesia, the Tambora volcano erupted. Its explosion is the largest ever recorded. A thunder-like sound was heard more than 1,300 km away as the mountain ejected large quantities of ash and pulverised rock, causing global temperatures to drop by 1.5°C the following year. In parts of Europe and North America, the year following the explosion, 1816, became known, according to historians, as “the year without a summer”, with crop failures, late frosts, disease and climatic consequences.

In our subconscious, the dangers of nature seem inevitable, catastrophic. But disasters are not natural, they are socially constructed, through lack of preparedness, prevention, mitigation, education and monitoring. What we have are threats or hazards of nature affecting vulnerable societies.

We must reduce social and structural vulnerability to make our societies more resilient!

HOW DOES THE VOLCANO ACTIVE FOUNDATION WORK??

The aim of the foundation is to increase the resilience of the inhabitants and ecosystems of volcanic areas. With a special focus on women and children.  Not only in the face of unavoidable catastrophes, but also in their day-to-day living with gas emissions, groundwater contamination and diseases typical of volcanic areas.

There are more than 1,500 volcanoes in the world, 96 of which are active. Every minute 26 of them could erupt, directly affecting more than 500 million people who live with them, as 60% of active volcanoes have no ground monitoring system. Only satellite data.

According to the principle of occurrence (or geographical causality) indicates that we are within a period in which there will be a major volcanic explosion. But governments do not heed the warnings given by the earth, which would require investment in plans to educate the local population on volcanic risk, evacuation plans, urban planning and development of areas that increase the resilience of volcanic ecosystems.

MITIGATION.
MITIGATION.

Train qualified local personnel and provide them with the technical means to monitor volcanic activity on the ground.  Training the population to evacuate in the event of a disaster.

Education.
EDUCATION // VOLCANO SCHOOL

To create and develop programmes that improve knowledge of volcanoes, their risks and work on awareness of our environment.

The aim is to educate children about the environment, empowering children, making them a reference when it comes to transmitting the values and protection of this geological and social phenomenon so closely related to the planet and the environment.  

DIVULGATE
DISCLOSURE

To publicise the living conditions and the real state of volcanoes, both through scientific studies and articles aimed at the general public.

Fighting to increase the resilience of populations on volcanic soil by promoting risk mitigation, social and ecosystem resilience in everyday life means fighting for the UN’s sustainability development goals. .

End of poverty, zero hunger, health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation,… and so on up to 17 goals that Volcano Active Foundation works daily in all its programmes, because fighting to increase the resilience of both populations and ecosystems is fighting for their well-being, present and future, for ours and for that of the planet.