Natural and Man-Made Disasters: Causes and Sustainable Solutions
Hurricanes and Typhoons (or Cyclones)
These terms, used in different parts of the world, mean the same thing. A very large group of storms forms, with a diameter of around 500 km, and spiral around a central eye of about 40 km in diameter, which is calm. They originate in the vicinity of the Ecuador coast. Below the eye, as a consequence of the suction force exerted on the sea, squalls are produced that lift water, giving rise to waves that can reach the ground and lay waste to coasts.
They have a rotational movement due to the Coriolis force and other factors. Their displacement is toward the west, later turning toward the north in the Northern Hemisphere and then toward the northeast, and south in the Southern Hemisphere. When they make landfall, hurricanes weaken and tropical storms become areas of low pressure.
Main Hazards
The main hazards of hurricanes are the high rotational wind speeds, strong floods, large waves, and heavy rain. Important hurricanes were Dennis, Katrina (1990), Mitch (2005).
Biological Risks
Biological risks are caused by organisms or substances. These agents, such as toxins, along with the risk they pose, are frequently the cause of infections: bacteria, viruses, prions, and others. Not only can they affect people, but the first affected may spread to the whole region, causing an epidemic, or to the whole country. If it reaches one or more continents, it is a pandemic.
Technological Risks
Technological risks are related to the use of technology and the damage or environmental problems that humans produce as a consequence of an accident in the installation or operation of an industrial facility. Examples include the Chernobyl disaster, the chemical accidents at Bhopal and Aznalc\u00f3llar, and others.
Natural Risks
Mixed Risks
Mixed risks are caused by human action. An example is desertification, resulting from deforestation, the use of open fields for cultivation, or urbanization and mining exploitation.
Commitments
- 1968 Biosphere Conference: the first major debate.
- Earth Summit of Rio 1992: world leaders endorsed Agenda 21.
- 1997 Kyoto Summit: a 5.2% reduction of gas emissions.
- Millennium Summit 2000: Millennium Development Goals agreed, with a 2015 deadline:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger worldwide.
- Achieve universal primary education.
- Promote gender equality.
- Reduce child mortality.
- Improve maternal health.
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
- Ensure environmental sustainability.
- Develop a global partnership for development.
- Johannesburg Summit 2002: sustainable management was the main theme, along with the challenges to achieve it.
Sustainable Management
Sustainable development, first proposed in 1987, was defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." It drives us to satisfy the needs of the present and future, reducing the negative effects of economic activity so that it can be sustained into the future.
Models
Developmentalist-pursuit programs are based on the population's continued exploitation of resources and constant growth. They assume resources are unlimited and can be exploited without considering the environment.
Conservationist approaches arose as an opposition to developmentalism, though they are little structuralist in the current situation. They do not offer solutions to developing countries that demand their prosperity.
Sustainable development seeks to reconcile both, growing without denying the environmental and social frameworks. It also aims to satisfy the needs of future generations.
Citizen Responsibility
If an individual cannot act alone to directly stop large-scale environmental problems, they can always be sure to do something in their surroundings. "Think globally, act locally" is the logical mindset needed to change, which is why informative and educational programs are so important. In Agenda 21, actions were defined to be carried out at global, national, and local levels to reduce the environmental impacts of human activity. The sustainable development characteristics cannot be achieved without the collaboration of every citizen.
Characteristics of Sustainable Development:
- Distinguish between ecological and social sustainability in population birth rates and in our cities, with a perspective that we are part of nature.
- To respond, we can: avoid overexploitation of resources by using renewable energy; minimize pollution; change consumption patterns; and promote recycling and reuse.
- Promote environmental education.
- Control demographic growth to avoid overexploitation of certain resources.
- Commit and achieve global cooperation among institutions and governments.
Environmental actions are crucial to prevent certain problems. Identify environmental impact studies, predict, prevent, and reduce possible negative effects of human actions on the environment or people.
Environmental audits: companies voluntarily submit to inspection to ensure they comply with their environmental commitments.
Eco-efficiency: a business philosophy that reduces impacts on the environment without giving up productivity.
Eco-labels: products that guarantee good ecological behavior. The European eco-label is one of the most important.