Early Warning Systems: A Review

Abstract

Numerous scientific research and engineering programs are being carried out globally in an effort to monitor environmental degradation, natural and an-thropogenic disasters. These are part of a process to predict possible cata-strophic events and help minimize their devastating impact on the environ-ment and human life. Many of these programs, sometimes referred to as Early Warning Systems (EWSs), have been documented with detailed information on approach and technology utilization in the areas of sensor design for real-time multiple-source data collection, data transmission, evaluation and analysis, timely dissemination of early warning information and efficient response to such information. While some EWSs are indispensable in our efforts for envi-ronmental sustainability, others have not performed as expected or designed. This paper examines the literature on EWSs, the level of utilization of remote sensing technology and the potential trends for future systems. An evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the different systems was performed. Sta-

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