Characteristic Human Responses

Question 1

What are the 3 general approaches to hazard perception

Answer 1

Acceptance (fatalism)
Prediction
Adaption

Question 2

What is acceptance (fatalism)

Answer 2

People may simply accept that natural hazards are a part of life or are even ‘gods will’. As such there is too little to be done about them and so losses are accepted as inevitable, so people remain where they are

Question 3

What is prediction

Answer 3

Improvements in technology have increased our ability to predict hazardous events more accurately. Remote sensing, seismic monitoring and satellite imaging allow us to warm communities of a likely hazard in time for people to act

Question 4

What is adaption

Answer 4

This perspective takes the view that once we accept that natural events are inevitable, we can adapt our behaviour accordingly. People can plan to protect themselves and prepare to reduce the likely impact. This may involve modifications to the built environment such as improved sea walls and earthquake proof buildings

Question 5

3 ways of approaching a natural hazard

Answer 5

Mitigation
Management
Community

Question 6

What is mitigation

Answer 6

Actions aimed at reducing the severity of an event and lessening impacts.

Question 7

What does mitigation involve

Answer 7

Direct intervention such as a building design that can withstand earthquakes or hurricanes or preparing barriers or defensible zones that may slow down or halt the advance of wildfires

Question 8

What is management

Answer 8

The modern approach to hazards involves efficient management and aim to make the most efficient use of money available to confront the natural hazard

Question 9

What types of approaches does management include

Answer 9

Identification of the risks
Analysing the risks
Establishing priorities
Treating the risk and implementing a risk reduction plan
Developing public awareness and a community strategy
Monitoring and reviewing the whole process

Question 10

What is community risk sharing

Answer 10

One way in which the government can act to reduce people’s vulnerability is to try to change attitudes and behaviour to natural hazards

Question 11

What does community risk sharing include

Answer 11

Measures to reduce loss of life and property damage through public education and awareness programmes, evacuation procedures and provision of emergency medical and food supplies and shelters