Are some hazards increasing in magnitude? How is the magnitude of hazards changing? Which hazards are increasing and why?

What are the two groups of hazards?

Are tropical storms increasing as a result of climate change? Scientists have found that increased greenhouse gases has led to a) global average temperatures b) increased sea-surface temperatures There is evidence that shows that the number tropical storms have increased more rapidly between 1995 to E.g. in 2005 there were so many hurricanes they ran out of names (Katrina, Rita and Wilma were the big ones)

Is it global warming? If this increase was due to global warming it should have continued into 2006 but the Pacific region experienced record storms and not the Atlantic. Therefore is the increased frequency in different regions due to global warming?

It actually suggests a short term change known as El Niño Southern Oscillation

Normal conditions

El Niño

La Niña (extreme normal)

Impacts of El Niño Read the sheets on El Niño making a list of hazards and impacts.

Increased vulnerability to hazards is due solely to human factors. Discuss this statement using examples from MEDC and LEDCs. (1000 words) Plan Introduction - Define both human and physical factors as well as hazards and vulnerability. Main body Human Factors – Rapid population growth, deforestation and land degradation, urbanisation, poverty and politics. Physical factors – Climate (global warming and El Niño), Hazards both geo-physical and hydro- meteorological. Conclusion Make sure you have made a decision Bibliography

Pop Quiz 1.What does ENSO stand for? 2.What is the difference between Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones? 3.Which one of the following is correct? a) R= V X Cb) V= R x Hc) R= H x V H C C 4. Name three countries that are prone to hazards (also give the hazard!)