We are the world...let's help build it safer!

When I started my blog I had hopes of posting each week. I've become busy with work and I've let you (my true inspiration) and myself down. So, this is a well-overdue posting with a much needed thank you for your patience.

The past few months have brought us a number of devastating disasters throughout the world. The most impacting of them have been earthquakes. But, these have been earthquakes that have been a bit different than usual; larger and in areas not usually prone to them, like smalltown central USA and third-world economically hindered Haiti. These have triggered tidal waves, mudslides, aftershocks, etc that further devastate the areas.

Most Americans take the strength of our economy for granted. Although we are coming out of one of the lowest economic slumps in my lifetime, our economy has remained stronger than most countries and continues. The strength of our economy (although most don't realize) is impacted by our building codes. When a natural disaster strikes, our buildings are constructed to withstand the impact. This allows Americans to use the buildings with little reconstruction necessary and a small amount of disaster relief money is required. Commercial buildings remain open, Government continues and businesses remain open to continue to operate and earn the income that keeps employees with jobs, feeding their families and spending their money on their wants and needs.

Ok, you've just been briefly introduced to the cycle of life that is impacted by the building codes. Now lets look at how the lack of codes impacts an area. In a previous blog, I had touched on the pre-earthquake status of the small country of Haiti. The earthquake on 12 January 2010 is a prime example of the opposite effects brought on by the lack of proper codes. When the 7.0 magnitude quake hit, hundreds of thousands of people were lost, dead or trapped in the buildings and rubble that had become the new skyline of Port-au-Prince. The Government's most prized building (and an iconic figure in the city) had been one of the more than 30,000 buildings and 250,000 homes destroyed; more than 3-million people of Haiti were immediately disconnected and affected by one event. But it doesn't stop there; the hospitals and major infrastructure was destroyed. The months to follow brought more than 50 aftershocks and numerous mudslides while the rubble was being sifted for any life that could still remain. One in five jobs have been lost and the cost to rebuild has been estimated to be in the billions.

Could this all be legitimately reduced through a Global building code? This would significantly reduce the impact of those countries (including the United States) which are caught by the evil wrath of Mother Nature. The plan would take years to build, but by placing the world's countries on a weighted scale based on their economic status, current codes, forecasted natural risks, etc. and by utilizing the expertise of countries throughout the world, the use of agencies already in place (such as the Red Cross/Red Crescent, United Nations, USGS, USGBC/LEED, etc) the process could be put on a fast-track schedule. Within months the program could start focusing on those countries which are deemed least developed and present the highest risk. Leveraging the experience of larger nations, the necessary codes could be developed and begin saving lives in months. This would stimulate the economies of those less fortunate countries and give those in need a chance to have the economy and lifestyles we all deserve.

I'm very passionate about this idea and would love to be involved. If I'm fortunate enough to have captured anyone's attention that may also share my vision, please drop me a line at: twitter: 318cg or email: cdecapria@jjkllc.com or LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/cdecapria. Thanks for reading! Until next time...ciao!