Location
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Stan Fulton Building
Start Date
1-6-2007 4:50 PM
End Date
1-6-2007 5:00 PM
Description
Geography, specifically scale, has significant impacts in terms of hazards and vulnerability. Small islands, such as those found in the Pacific, experience the impacts of their relatively unique geography and scale in terms of hazards and vulnerability in at least five ways: 1) Perception and communication; 2) Impact and escape from impact; 3) Technology; 4) Recovery; and 5) Socio-environmental justice. Comparative analysis in these five areas between the Pacific’s small islands and industrialized continental regions illuminates differences regarding the way hazards and vulnerability should be conceptualized in the under-treated small islands of the world. Lessons from this analysis will aid in conceptualization of small island scenarios, as well as lend guidance to those seeking direct intervention regarding technological and natural hazards.
Keywords
Climate change; Climatic changes; Continents; Environmental degradation; Environmental hazards; Environmental impacts; Environmental quality; Natural disasters; Pacific Islands; Pacific Ocean --Islands of the Pacific; Small island environments
Disciplines
Environmental Health and Protection | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Nature and Society Relations | Physical and Environmental Geography
Language
English
Included in
Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Nature and Society Relations Commons, Physical and Environmental Geography Commons
Session 7 - A Comparative geographic analysis of the impact of scale on hazards and vulnerability in industrialized continental lands and small pacific islands
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Stan Fulton Building
Geography, specifically scale, has significant impacts in terms of hazards and vulnerability. Small islands, such as those found in the Pacific, experience the impacts of their relatively unique geography and scale in terms of hazards and vulnerability in at least five ways: 1) Perception and communication; 2) Impact and escape from impact; 3) Technology; 4) Recovery; and 5) Socio-environmental justice. Comparative analysis in these five areas between the Pacific’s small islands and industrialized continental regions illuminates differences regarding the way hazards and vulnerability should be conceptualized in the under-treated small islands of the world. Lessons from this analysis will aid in conceptualization of small island scenarios, as well as lend guidance to those seeking direct intervention regarding technological and natural hazards.
Comments
9 pages
DOI: 10.1109/ISTAS.2007.4362234