Disaster risk equation WORLD AT RISK

What you should achieve this lesson Know how to use the disaster risk equationKnow how to use the disaster risk equation Understand how vulnerability of people is a result of a number of factorsUnderstand how vulnerability of people is a result of a number of factors Identify recent trends in natural hazard dataIdentify recent trends in natural hazard data

recap With a partner test each other on what the following terms mean: With a partner test each other on what the following terms mean: Natural HazardNatural Hazard DisasterDisaster RiskRisk VulnerabilityVulnerability Hydro- meteorological hazardHydro- meteorological hazard Geophysical HazardGeophysical Hazard Chronic HazardChronic Hazard

Natural event or natural hazard 1- A cyclone affecting Hong Kong 2- A hurricane passing over a remote unpopulated island 3- A flood in a rural area which floods the roads, but does not affect any houses 4- A volcano erupting on a remote unpopulated island 5- An avalanche in a ski resort 6- An avalanche high on mountainous slopes remote from any settlement

Which would you pick? What type of hazard would you prefer to face and why?What type of hazard would you prefer to face and why?

Disaster risk equation Risk is the exposure of people to a hazardous event which may present a potential threat to people or their possessions, including buildings and structures.Risk is the exposure of people to a hazardous event which may present a potential threat to people or their possessions, including buildings and structures. What factors can influence the level of risk? What factors can influence the level of risk?

Disaster risk equation RISK = HAZARD x VULNERABILITY RISK = HAZARD x VULNERABILITYCAPACITY The risk of disaster grows as global hazards and people’s vulnerability increases, while their capacity to cope decreasesThe risk of disaster grows as global hazards and people’s vulnerability increases, while their capacity to cope decreases MEDCsLEDCs Increasing vulnerability in some respects

vulnerability Not all of the planet’s population is at the same risk, but millions of people are considered to be vulnerableNot all of the planet’s population is at the same risk, but millions of people are considered to be vulnerable Vulnerability is NOT the same as povertyVulnerability is NOT the same as poverty E.g. an earthquakeE.g. an earthquake The middle class may be more affected by a earthquake as their property could cause more damage when it collapses than a property within a shanty townThe middle class may be more affected by a earthquake as their property could cause more damage when it collapses than a property within a shanty town

vulnerability Either bullet point or produce spider diagrams to explain how the following factors can effect vulnerabilityEither bullet point or produce spider diagrams to explain how the following factors can effect vulnerability Wealth of peopleWealth of people Technical ability of a countryTechnical ability of a country EducationEducation AgeAge RuralRural UrbanUrban

Why live in a hazardous area? Why live in a hazardous area Choice Unaware of risk Inertia Only option

Is the world more hazardous?

It’s clear that the frequency of natural disaster has increased but what factors could influence this?It’s clear that the frequency of natural disaster has increased but what factors could influence this? TechnologyTechnology International monitoring agencies e.g. CRED or SCSNInternational monitoring agencies e.g. CRED or SCSN mentary/?cat=2http:// mentary/?cat=2http:// mentary/?cat=2http:// mentary/?cat=2 MediaMedia

Is the world more hazardous?

Is this what you expected?

Is the world more hazardous? There is a decreasing number of deaths due to hazards – why?There is a decreasing number of deaths due to hazards – why? Better understanding of natural disastersBetter understanding of natural disasters Better preparednessBetter preparedness Better technologyBetter technology This is not the case everywhere

Is the world more hazardous?

Current trends in Natural hazards Using the textbooks I would like you to annotate each of the graphs provided, giving a description and explanation of the current trends.Using the textbooks I would like you to annotate each of the graphs provided, giving a description and explanation of the current trends. MagnitudeMagnitude FrequencyFrequency Number of deathsNumber of deaths Economic costsEconomic costs Number involvedNumber involved