"Danger to human populations from environmental events is both increasing and decreasing." Human populations all over the world are in danger from environmental events
“Danger to human populations from environmental events is both increasing and decreasing.”
Human populations all over the world are in danger from environmental events. These events have the potential to harm humans, possessions and income. Environmental events or hazards are extreme conditions that can cause injury, loss of life, loss of agriculture and the environment, damage to property and housing. There are a number of variables that influence the level of danger the community is faced with. These factors include; the magnitude and frequency of the event, the vulnerability of the community and the resources available. These factors can both increase and decrease the danger to human populations.
On a global scale the frequency and magnitude of environmental hazards is both increasing and decreasing, depending on the particular hazard. Some of the environmental events that are increasing in frequency include heat waves, droughts, bushfires and floods. This is due to increased temperatures and intensified weather patterns such as El Nino events, which occur as a result of global warming. Rising temperatures have also increased monsoon conditions and therefore the spread of waterborne diseases and malaria from breeding insects. Some of these events are also becoming more severe, increasing the danger to human populations throughout the world. Environmental events that have been decreasing in frequency over the years include; insect and vermin plagues, viruses and epidemics, and exotic animal diseases. They are becoming less frequent due to advances in medicine and immunization, the use of chemical pesticides/herbicides and through strict quarantine laws, which prevent exotic foods and animal entering foreign countries.
