Blog 9: Environmental Degradation Increases Disaster Risk

       A recent article released by OOSKA news describes the dangers of environmental degradation found in the world risk report. The world risk report is a study done by the world economic forum. This report is released every year and details all the changes throughout the world that increases risk for environmental disasters. Many things are taken into account when making the risk report, such as coral reef destruction, deforestation, climate change, public infrastructure, and medical services. The global risk report analyzes numerous aspects and compiles them to form a current status of the potential disasters that could take place and how detrimental they could be. Two of the main environmental issues we face surrounding the rising greenhouse gas emissions is failure of climate change adaptation and persistence of extreme weather. After compare several risks found on the world stage, the major hazards challenging us today is water supply crisis, chronic fiscal imbalance, and food shortage crises. Reports of this nature give us insight to the problems we may very well be facing tomorrow. Sustainable living environmentally and financially is a good start to preventing further damage and preserving life. Furthermore, I would like to focus on environmental degradation section of the report. The report takes into account the destruction of protective barriers found in nature. Coral Reefs are an important part of the protections of the coastal areas from storm surges and other ocean effects on land. Forest areas are important for the protection of soil erosion and such disasters as landslides. Individual parts of nature work together to create an infrastructure. Negative impacts from human or any other interference effect the total structure of nature. As an intelligent species the human race needs to recognize the impact we have on the environment and minimize it as much as possible to ensure a future.

 

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalRisks_Report_2012.pdf

http://www.ooskanews.com/daily-water-briefing/environmental-degradation-increases-disaster-risk_24778

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Risks_Report