Ben Wisner

This report is an interesting evaluation of natural, environmental and socio-economic and political effects relating to how humanity interacts within the framework of disaster hazard, risk and vulnerability. It is essentially aimed at researching academics and those people who may have some form of influence over how governments and/or societies as a whole may plan strategically to react to disasters or potential natural hazards exacerbated by the existence of humans, most often in large numbers in unstable conditions. It aims to educate in order to lessen the effect of hazards on the general population. Unseen hazards, such as chemicals in water and on food are also discussed, but not such things as nuclear war and its aftermath. The entirety of the report can be summed up as follows: “Sh*t happens, sometimes it is brought on or made worse by the presence of humans, and in general, different people in different situations are affected differently, some suffering greater hardship than others depending on circumstance. How we as a species, society or individuals prepare for and respond to potential disasters is also directly dependent on circumstance.” Perhaps this is an oversimplification, but that’s what I got out of it. Read if you enjoy a theoretical approach to reality that views things in terms of models so you can then go and argue with other people who may favour another model over the one you do.… (mehr)