Human Responses to Hazards (AQA A Level Geography)

Characteristic Responses to Hazards

Different ways to respond to hazards

• Fatalism is when people believe that hazards cannot be avoided and so must be accepted – this often leads to people doing nothing in response to hazards

• More often, people respond to hazards actively to try to minimise the risk of harm through:

  • Prediction – using science and technology to predict where and when a hazard will occur so that warnings can be issued, potentially allowing people to evacuate

  • Adjustment/adaptation – changing behaviour to reduce potential losses – examples include improving awareness of hazards and practising earthquake drills

  • Mitigation – working to reduce or prevent the occurrence of hazards – for example building sea walls to prevent flooding in the event of a tsunami or tropical storm

  • Integrated risk management – analysing potential risks and implementing a coordinated approach to manage and reduce risks

  • Risk sharing – working together to reduce the risk and sharing the costs of hazard response – for example buying home insurance – only some people need to claim but the cost is shared by everyone

Factors affecting hazard response

• Incidence – how often a hazard occurs (also known as frequency)

  • The more often a hazard occurs, the more likely that people will be educated and prepared with effective management strategies in place

• Intensity and magnitude – the size, strength or severity of a hazard

  • The greater the severity of a hazard, the larger the potential impact, and the greater the response required

• Distribution – where hazards occur

  • In more hazardous locations people are more prepared for hazard events because they invest significant time and money to protect themselves

    • Japan has invested in earthquake-resistant buildings and earthquake drills

• Level of development – the level of economic wealth and standard of living in a country

  • More developed countries are more likely to have mitigation and adaptation strategies in place and will be better prepared to respond to the hazard effectively