Disasters Explain how disasters are associated with concentration or dilution of energy. Explain (with examples) how energy conservation applies to natural disasters. Explain why disaster scales are based on the Order‐of‐Magnitude concept, and interpret graphs with logarithmic scales. o Return Period = RP = Time span of data / # of cases of mag. M o The average number of years between disaster events of the same magnitude.
Compare and contrast risk, perception of risk, hazard, and vulnerability. o Hazard: Any event or situation that could cause human (death, injuries) or economic harm (property and prosperity) o Risk = Vulnerability x Hazard Probability that any given hazardous event might occur (chance
of potential loss) o Perception of Risk: how big/how many?, how experienced we are, appearance/drama, how others react, media, relation to personal experience/exposure, frequency, geography location, medical aftermath, illusion of control, age Recognize how poor humans are at judging risk. o Human perception of risk is flawed. Do not deal well with probabilities. Recognize how your perceptions skew your ability to judge risk. Relate natural‐disaster risk & intensity to frequency, return period, and consequences (costs). o Frequency = 1/Period o Period = 1/Frequency Describe population growth and explain why it is important for natural disasters. o Population - carrying capacity depends on: quantity of food, habitat, natural resources, etc. o Doubling time = DT (years) = 70 / % of growth rate per year o Applies to exponential growth only Explain how Earth’s carrying capacity and overpopulation are related to the
fate of the human race, and anticipate your role in it. o Depend on quantity of food, habitat, natural resources, sanitation, health care o Greater population = infrastructure becomes more sensitive, people less likely to be evacuated safely o Human population is fragile system
The number of human-made disasters has been decreasing in recent years.
The number of natural-disaster fatalities is increasing with time.
Economic losses from natural disasters are increasing with time.
The number of natural disasters in Canada is increasing.
The number of natural-disaster fatalities in Canada is decreasing
In Canada, economic losses are mostly due to weather-related disasters