Theme 2: Hazards

This theme examines the concept of hazards, their causes and impact, and how people manage the risk. Hazards can be defined as natural, biological, or human-induced. The impacts of hazards on people and places vary depending on economic, demographic, social, political, and environmental factors. The ability of a population to respond to hazards is determined by their vulnerability to, and awareness of, risk and its management. Students extend their ethical and intercultural understanding through exploring the vulnerability, risk management, and impacts of hazards affecting communities and environments in different locations.

Topic 4: Natural hazards

A natural hazard refers to an extreme natural event that has the potential to negatively affect human systems and result in disaster. It may arise from atmospheric, hydrological, or geomorphic events. Such events include cyclones, tornadoes, droughts, bushfires, flooding, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, landslides, and avalanches. The effects of natural hazards have increased greatly as a result of our growing world population and increased human interference with ecosystems. Improved methods of prediction and prevention have been important in managing hazard risk to vulnerable populations.

Students develop their knowledge and understanding in the following key areas:

• an overview of the types and classifications of natural hazards
• global distribution of natural hazards
• one or more contemporary case studies of a natural hazard type, examining:
  • causes of the natural hazard
  • vulnerability to natural hazard risk, including location and social factors
  • risk management of natural hazards, including prevention, mitigation, and preparedness
  • comparison of vulnerability and risk in different locations
  • impacts of disaster on populations and the environment
  • local, national, and global responses to disasters.

Topic 5: Biological and human-induced hazards

Biological hazards originate in the biosphere and include plant and animal invasions, and human infectious diseases. Human-induced hazards are the result of human activities that can be from deliberate action or technical error. These include technological and industrial hazards, nuclear disasters, and issues related to civil unrest, such as landmines or acts of terrorism and war.

Students develop their knowledge and understanding in the following key areas:

• an overview of the types and classifications of biological and/or human-induced hazards
• one or more contemporary case studies of a biological or human-induced hazard type, examining:
  • spatial distribution of the biological or human-induced hazard
  • cause and characteristics of the biological or human-induced hazard
  • impacts of the biological or human-induced hazard on populations and the environment
  • local, national, and/or global consequences, including effects on travel, trade, and transportation, and global relationships
  • vulnerability to biological or human-induced hazards
  • risk management, including possible prevention, control, and containment.