(World At Risk) Chapter1-Global Hazards Flashcards
What is a geophysical hazard?
A hazard caused by earth processes (tectonic/geophysical). E.g. Earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.
What is a hydro-meteorological hazard?
A hazard caused by hydrological (floods) and atmospheric (storms/droughts) processes.
Describe the difference between ‘hazards’ and ‘disasters’
A hazard has the potential to threaten life and property but has not yet occurred/has become reality. A hazard becomes a disaster when the hazard becomes reality in an event that has threatened life/property
Give examples of a chronic hazard
Global warming, El Niño-La Niña cycle
How can some socioeconomic characteristics increase people’s vulnerability?
Socioeconomic characteristics such as: 🔴high population density ⚫️high poverty level 🔵corrupt/inefficient government Can increase people's vulnerability and may amplify the risks of esp. death frm environmental hazards
Define vulnerability
A high risk combined with the inability of individuals and communities to cope.
Define Risk.
The probability of a hazard event occurring.
What are the type of risks from global hazards (in order of severity)?
⬛️Hazards to People ▫️death, severe injury ▫️disease, stress ◻️Hazards to Goods ▪️economic losses ▪️infrastructure damage ▪️property damage ◼️Hazards to the Environment ▫️pollution ▫️loss of flora+fauna ▫️loss of amenity
Changing Risks
🔸it is difficult to predict when/where/magnitude of an event occurring
🔸natural hazards vary in space +time due:
- to changing human activities
-to changing physical factors (e.g. Tectonic plate movements)
Why do people remain exsposed to hazard risks?
⚪️Changing Risks
⚫️Lack of alternatives
🔴Benefits vs Costs
🔵Risk Perception
Lack of Alternatives
Poorest+most vulnerable people=often forced to live in unsafe locations. (E.g hillsides/ floodplains) due to:
-shortage of land
Or
-lack of knowledge of best alternatives
What is the Risk Equation + what does it measure?
The risk equation measures the level of hazard risk for an area:
Frequency/magnitude of hazard x level of vulnerability _______________________________________________
Capacity of population to cope
INCREASING OR DECREASING?
🔵Frequency/Magnitude
⚫️Level of Vulnerability
🔴Capacity to cope
🔵Use of fossil fuels–> warming planet–>resulting in Climate Change–>therefore INCREASING Frequency+severity of Weather related hazards {e.g. Floods/Droughts/Windstorms)
⚫️Unsustainable development involves poor land use + environmental degradation therefore INCREASING vulnerability of millions.
🔴Without community SKILLS/TOOLS/MONEY = difficult capacity to cope. However e.g.;
▪️debt payments
▪️unfair trade arrangements
▪️selective foreign investment
=causes poorest/vulnerable communities to lack resources
▫️Rural-Urban migration= undermining traditional coping strategies
🔶EXTRA NOTE: The Future
🔸Most affected areas in World~poorest countries/communities. Esp.–sub saharan Africa+ parts S.East Asia + many small developing island state
🔸risk eq emphasises how Development Gab between Rich+Poor = widening.
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
- a natural phenomenon
- greenhouse gases>absorb outgoing long-wave
What is a hazard?
A natural event which has the potential to threaten both life and property.
