L1 Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is a disaster?
A sudden event causing damage, injury, or loss of life and property.
Examples include earthquakes, typhoons, landslides, and floods, as well as man-made disasters such as oil spills, industrial accidents, and terrorism.
Define risk in the context of disasters.
The potential loss of lives, health, property, or economic resources due to a disaster.
This encompasses the likelihood of a disaster occurring and its potential impacts.
What is a hazard?
A phenomenon that has the potential to cause damage.
Hazards can be classified into natural and man-made.
Give examples of natural hazards.
- Earthquakes
- Typhoons
- Volcanic eruptions
These hazards are typically caused by environmental processes.
Give examples of man-made hazards.
- Pollution
- Industrial accidents
- War
These hazards result from human actions or negligence.
What is vulnerability?
Factors that increase susceptibility to the impact of hazards.
Vulnerability can be physical, social, or economic.
What are physical factors of vulnerability?
- Poor infrastructure
Physical vulnerability refers to the tangible aspects that make a community more susceptible to disasters.
What are social factors of vulnerability?
- Lack of education and preparedness
Social vulnerability includes the ability of individuals and communities to prepare for and respond to disasters.
What are economic factors of vulnerability?
- Poverty
- Lack of financial resources
Economic vulnerability relates to the financial stability of individuals and communities in the face of disasters.
Define exposure in the context of disasters.
The presence of people, property, or infrastructure in hazard-prone areas.
Higher exposure increases the risk of impact during a disaster.
Classify disasters.
- Natural Disasters
- Man-made Disasters
Natural disasters include events like earthquakes and floods, while man-made disasters include industrial accidents and terrorism.
What are some risk factors underlying disasters?
- Climate Change
- Poverty and Inequality
- Environmental Degradation
- Weak Governance
- Urbanization
Each of these factors can exacerbate the severity and frequency of disasters.
How does climate change affect disasters?
Increases the frequency of extreme weather events.
This can lead to more severe impacts from disasters like floods and hurricanes.
How does poverty and inequality contribute to disaster risk?
Poor communities are more vulnerable.
Limited resources hinder their ability to prepare and recover from disasters.
What is the impact of environmental degradation on disasters?
Deforestation leads to landslides, pollution worsens floods.
Environmental degradation can increase the likelihood and severity of natural disasters.
What role does weak governance play in disasters?
Poor disaster response and preparedness.
Effective governance is crucial for managing disaster risks and responses.
How does urbanization affect disaster risk?
Unplanned city expansion increases exposure to hazards.
Rapid urban growth can lead to inadequate infrastructure and increased vulnerability.
List the physical impacts of disasters.
- Damage to infrastructure
- Damage to the environment
Physical impacts can disrupt community functions and ecosystems.
List the economic impacts of disasters.
- Loss of jobs
- Loss of businesses
Economic impacts can hinder recovery and growth in affected areas.
