EARTHSC 2GG3 Lecture Notes - Caveat Emptor, Riprap, Heat Stroke
4 Dec 2013
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Document Summary
Problems arise when people put themselves where they can be impacted by major natural events. Simple solution would be to keep people from hazardous locations. Towns were located where suitable for earlier basic needs, but modern infrastructure is too entrenched for easy relocations. People continue to make poor choices, based on leisure, recreation and aesthetics. People understand that there are risks in life and choose to accept some of them or believe that risked event won"t happen to me . Underlying problem is belief that we can control nature. Short-term cures" are seen as solutions to nature"s rampages. Fail to see that the more we hold back the effect of large natural events, the worse the effect will eventually be. Soft" solutions: zoning to prevent buildings, strict building codes (much less expensive options) Hard" solutions: installing levees, concrete barriers, riprap, catchment basins and landslide drains. Collective memories of disasters only go back a few years.
