Dear Rebecca,
That essay question is a good one. I would have thought that what it is getting at is that we tend
to use the word "natural" in this context to exclude disasters caused by human error or omission,
or failure of something man made.
We tend not to regard a natural event as a disaster unless people or their property suffer because
of it. In other words can any disaster be "natural"? The cause of the hazard may be natural, but
it is only a risk if people, property, or a valuable ecosystem is exposed and vulnerable.
If I were you, I would distinguish between hazard, exposure and vulnerability. Here is a simple
example; a tornado touches down somewhere, if no one is there, that is no exposure, then there is
no disaster. If people are there, but they are invulnerable because they are in a strong shelter,
and their property is designed to withstand tornadoes, then there is no disaster. A hazard is an
event or state of affairs which could potentially cause harm but only if something vulnerable could
be exposed to it.
The main cause of the exponential increases in global insurance claims costs from disasters is not
the increase in severe weather events but increases in exposure and vulnerability. Climate change
will affect the hazard and make the costs increase even faster. There is not much insurers can do
about the hazard in the short term so in some cases insurers have to reduce their exposures in
order to manage their risks.
(On the other hand you could argue that since humanity is a product of nature, all disasters are
"natural".)
If you want to email me direct, I can send you a paper which might help you.
Regards,
David
Prof. David Crichton, <[log in to unmask]>
1 Quarryknowe Crescent
INCHTURE, Perthshire, Scotland. PH14 9RH
Tel; +44 (0) 1828 686493
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----------
> From: Rebecca Slocombe <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: natural hazards and disasters, misleading names, or not?
> Date: 22 November 2000 20:20
>
> Hi everyone. Ive been reading your messages and considering you are all so
> knowedgeable I was wondering if I could pick your brains for an essay
> question I have been set at university.
>
> The essay is "Use specific examples to discuss the ways in which the ters
> "natural hazards" and "natural disasters" can be misleading or
> inappropriate.
>
> Any information would be freatly appreciated.
> Thanks
> Rebecca
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