Transformative change in disaster prevention requires big thinking. Just as some of philanthropy’s biggest successes, such as marriage equality to vaccines, were once thought of as inconceivable moonshots, so too can preventing disaster seem like an daunting, unachievable feat.

However, using a research-based framework from authors, Susan Wolf Ditkoff and Abe Grindle, The Center of Effective Philanthropy highlights five elements of a moonshot for disaster prevention:

1. Build a Shared Understanding

By developing a comprehensive understanding of disaster risk and its ecosystem, we can identify effective and adaptive strategies for mitigation and preparedness. The interconnectedness of different disasters in various geographies is becoming increasingly evident as global systems — environmental, economic, and social — are more interdependent than ever before. Natural hazards, humanitarian crises or the impacts of climate change in one region often have cascading effects that reach far beyond their immediate vicinity.

For example, when a drought hits sub-Saharan Africa, it doesn’t just affect local agriculture and food security; it can lead to mass displacement, conflict over dwindling resources, and increased migration pressures on neighboring countries. Similarly, the wildfires in Canada or California can affect air quality across entire continents, stretching as far as Europe. A shared understanding will lead to a unified vision for disaster prevention, decreasing siloing and short-term thinking, and enabling collaboration across sectors, including governments, NGOs and local communities.

2. Set Winnable Milestones

Transformative change is a journey marked by achievable milestones. By setting clear, measurable goals, we can track progress and maintain momentum. Winnable milestones for disaster prevention include universal early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure and the establishment of disaster response funds or insurance mechanisms for vulnerable communities. These milestones, paired with simplified, compelling messages rooted in the communities’ voices, will help rally support and inspire collective action.

3. Design for Massive Scale

Natural hazards and human-made crises do not respect borders; we need to respond similarly in our prevention activities. To prevent disasters on a global scale, solutions must be designed for widespread implementation and collaboration. This involves harnessing technology, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and experimenting with and creating scalable models that can be adapted to diverse environments and contexts.

For instance, NOAA’s Pacific Tsunami Warning System monitors seismic activity across the Pacific region, alerting nations from Chile to Japan of potential threats. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ community-based disaster preparedness approaches offer adaptable models that emphasize local participation and context-specific risk reduction. These initiatives are wide-reaching, but tailored to diverse environments, from cyclone-prone Bangladesh to earthquake-vulnerable Haiti.

4. Drive Demand

Prevention efforts must resonate with communities and stakeholders to be successful. Recognizing and respecting local knowledge in program design enhances relevance, fosters ownership, increases trust and cooperation, and leads to long-term engagement and sustainability. When communities are involved, prevention activities can be designed with knowledge of locale-specific risks and adapted to culturally aware mitigation methods. Ultimately, aligning prevention strategies with community needs ensures they become integrated, lasting solutions that enhance resilience and reduce disaster risks.

5. Embrace Course Corrections

As we innovate and implement disaster prevention strategies, it is vital to remain nimble, flexible and adaptive. Learning from experience, being receptive to the risk of failure and a willingness to pivot allows us to refine our approaches and increase the impact of our efforts.

The audacious goal of disaster prevention is not only achievable but necessary for a safer, more resilient world. By applying this framework, we can galvanize philanthropy to push the boundaries of what is possible and create lasting change.

Read the full blog, "A Moonshot for Disaster Prevention: Building a Framework for Transformative Change," from The Center for Effective Philanthropy.