APWA Collaborates on Consortium’s New White Paper
The American Public Works Association (APWA) will be teaming up with 20 national organizations in the new version of Homeland Security Consortium’s (NHSC) white paper, “Protecting Americans in the 21st Century: Priorities for 2012 and Beyond.”
The white paper has been created as an effort to help advance homeland security goals when national adaptability and resilience are most vital. The Consortium’s endorsing members stated that leaders must begin to recognize and understand the interaction of threats and vulnerabilities on both individual and national levels.
The white paper focuses on threats such as cyber hazards, changing demographics, emerging technologies, WMD proliferation, and violent extremist ideologies. WDM is a global hazard that needs an international effort in order for any remedy to be established. Although violent extremist ideologies seem to be on the decline, the threat will always be there; it is the responsibility of the nation to stay actively vigilant to keep this defiance to a minimum.
Environmental protection is also a large concern in this new version of white paper. Climate change is an omnipresent concern, and while the full causes have yet to be determined, the Consortium is focused on actions and policies that may be necessary in mitigating and recovering from the consequences of warming temperatures.
The demand on global resources is also a growing problem for the planet. The Consortium is concentrating on efforts that will address the diminishing agriculture, water, and mineral resources. The need for resolution becomes increasingly necessary as populations continue to rise.
The white paper will also be focusing on mega-hazards and catastrophic cascading consequences. Catastrophic events can be the result of a technical failure or a natural disaster. In the event of tornadoes, hurricanes, or other natural occurring devastation, it’s important for the homeland security community to be able to recognize the interdependencies and vulnerabilities within national systems.
For more information on the National Homeland Security Consortium, please click here.