Climate and Natural Disasters

Definition

These refer to extreme weather patterns and catastrophic events caused by natural forces such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods etc., which can have devastating effects on human life and infrastructure.

Analogy

Imagine climate like your school schedule - predictable with occasional surprises like pop quizzes (natural disasters). Just as you prepare for these surprises by studying regularly, societies must also prepare for natural disasters through planning and infrastructure development.

Related terms

Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns mainly caused by human activities especially carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning.

Natural Hazard Mitigation: The effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.

Resilience Planning: The process of developing strategies to help communities better withstand and recover from both acute shocks (like hurricanes) and chronic stresses (like drought).