Vulnerability

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__**1. Why do people live in hazardous areas? (IB Study Guide: Nagle & Cooke)**__ A **hazard** is a perceived natural event which threatens both life and property; a **disaster** is the realisation of this hazard. A distinction can therefore be made between **extreme events in nature**, which are not environmental hazards (because people and property are not at risk) and **environmental hazards** in which people and property //are// at risk.

Environmental hazards are caused by people's use of dangerous environments. A large part of environmental hazards is caused by human behaviour, namely the failure to recognise the potential hazard and act accordingly. Hence the term //natural hazard// is not a precise description, as natural hazards are not just the result of 'natural' events.



__**Which hazardous environment is the best to live in?**__

For one of the locations investigate the advantages and disadvantages of living there. Prepare to argue why it is the best place to live.


 * < Location || advantages || disadvantages ||
 * < Myanmar ||  ||   ||
 * < Tōhoku, Japan ||  ||   ||
 * < Sichuan, China ||  ||   ||
 * < New Orleans, USA ||  ||   ||
 * < Somalia, East Africa ||  ||   ||
 * < South East Australia ||  ||   ||
 * < Manila, Philippines ||  ||   ||
 * California, USA ||  ||   ||

__**2****. Vulnerability**__

Definition: The geographic conditions that increase the susceptibility of a community to a hazard or to the impacts of a hazard event.

Hurricane Katrina and Vulnerable groups http://understandingkatrina.ssrc.org/Cutter/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47361582@N00/1262353103/sizes/z/



[Source: Richard Rhoda and Tony Burton. Mexico: A geographic perspective, sombrero books (2009)]

[] https://www.flickr.com/photos/47361582@N00/1262353103/sizes/z/
 * Vulnerability = **** exposure x resistance x adaptive capacity **

__**Vulnerability in different sectors of the population**__