The Earth: Work in Progress

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Background Information

A natural hazard is an event in nature that produces environmental change and negatively impacts human beings and/or the environment.

Environmental change is a naturally occurring phenomenon. We are constantly reminded through our own life experiences and the media that changes in our environment are inevitable. While environmental change can bePhoto: Mt. St. Helens erupting the direct result of human impact, it also occurs as a result of the natural life-sustaining activity of the dynamic nature of Earth systems.

Change is critical to maintaining a healthy environment. Devoid of human interaction, environmental change creates long-term benefits. For example, some plants do not reproduce unless their seed pods are opened during the intense heat of a fire. Floods, while life-threatening to humans and animals, are necessary to replenish nutrients in soil and build new land in delta regions. Volcanic eruptions create new habitats for plants and animals. These changes, while devastating to the environment initially, produce far reaching, positive results in the long term.

The environment is very capable of recovering from these natural events, especially in those areas that have had little human impact. However, environmental degradation by humans severely limits the Earth’s capacity to Photo: Golden Gate Bridgeovercome naturally occurring events such as storms, fires, and floods. In areas that have little degradation, the rate of recovery is much greater.

When environmental change and humans are involved, loss of life and property become important issues. Advances in technology and early reporting of impending danger have helped control losses considerably, but the Earth is governed by complex forces of nature that cannot be restrained. These powerful forces are always at work in a variety of ways.

Responding to Meteorologic and Geologic Changes

Rather than fighting the changing nature of the environment, there is a need to find creative methods of coping with change and insulating ourselves from the impact of meteorologic and geologic changes. Some of these changes are slow and incremental, while others are dramatic and swift. Usually, changes that occur quickly are in response to a catastrophic natural hazard.

Natural hazards are so pervasive that no one can escape the risks they pose. Not only can death and injury occur because of natural hazards, but also there can be tremendous financial losses. As the population and economic activity increase so do the costs. Financial costs of natural disasters in the Photo: Greg & kids with cloth globe. United States have skyrocketed because individuals are becoming increasingly vulnerable to their impact due to the trends in society rather than trends in nature.

Since most natural disasters occur in areas of acknowledged high risk such as barrier islands, flood plains, and fault zones, we would expect individuals to proceed with caution when locating homes and businesses in these areas. However, there has been little interest in prevention. More attention has been paid to development of hazard-prone areas and subsequently providing assistance to those who have been affected by natural disasters. Instead of offering incentives that would encourage responsible land use, legislated insurance rate controls and federal aid programs actually subsidize development in high-risk areas. Sometimes there seems to be more political interest in providing economic and humanitarian relief than in preventing loss of life and property in the first place.

Understanding the Forces of Nature is Key to Prevention
Natural hazards and environmental change are inevitable, but loss of life and property can be greatly lessened through education and appropriate response.

Understanding the natural perils will help reduce the risks involved:

• where and how often they occur;
• what causes them;
• what factors increase their severity; and
• the efficacy of preventative measures.

While little can be done to stop natural hazards from occurring, their subsequent impact can be ameliorated to reduce losses. One important consideration is limiting use of areas that are prone to experiencing natural hazards. This is not easy, especially when demographic movement is often toward those areas that hold the greatest risks. Technological advances and a growing population have encouraged building homes and businesses in areas that should be off-limits to permanent human development, e.g., on hillsides, around coastal areas, and in wetland areas that historically have held flood waters. Individuals living in these regions face greater risks of experiencing problems due to natural hazards.


The impact of natural hazards has as much to do with society’s reaction to them as the actual events themselves. These actions will help prevent loss of life and property:

Responsible land use decisions

Building and construction practices that withstand hazards

Emergency preparedness

Early warnings to evacuate or take precautions

Post-disaster recovery

Public education and awareness

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