Deck 18: The Future: Where Do We Go From Here?

Question 1

"Hard" solutions to natural disasters do NOT include:

A) installing barriers along coasts.
B) building riprap walls along coasts.
C) constructing levees on dams.
D) updating zoning laws.
E) setting up drains on landslide prone hills.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Population increase is susceptible to a cruel feedback loop that:

A) increases population to sustainable levels.
B) causes natural disasters.
C) reduces population to sustainable levels.
D) will be controlled by the government.
E) restricts the number of children born.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT an effect of global warming on natural disasters?

A) increased global temperatures
B) population collapse
C) disruption of living conditions
D) increased incidence of storms
E) increased earthquakes

Answer 3

E

Question 4

Which of the following statements gives the best example of an effect that global warming has had on hurricanes specifically?

A) The number of hurricanes has increased significantly.
B) The annual number of intense storms has nearly doubled.
C) The increase in temperature gives less energy to tropical storms.
D) Global warming leads to lighter rainfall during these storms.
E) El Nino effects have diminished in intensity.

Question 5

When determining responsibility for property damage,what is a good rule of thumb to obey?

A) Always purchase insurance.
B) "Caveat emptor," or buyer beware.
C) The real estate agent is always liable.
D) The government will always cover the costs of the damage.
E) The seller is never responsible.

Question 6

During industrialization,many mistakes were made by building without considering the effects on nature.Which of the following is NOT one of them?

A) Homes were built closer to streams, cliffs, and barrier islands.
B) People accepted the risk, believing it wouldn't happen to them.
C) Levees were built to hold back rivers, allowing people to live in the natural high-flood zones.
D) Towns were built on higher terraces for protection.
E) Development near active volcanoes and earthquake faults.

Question 7

The warming of the Atlantic sea surface since 1995 has increased:

A) tsunamis.
B) hurricane activity.
C) tornadoes.
D) earthquakes.
E) costal erosion.

Question 8

Which of the following methods of mitigation is important in reducing losses?

A) strictly enforced building codes
B) loosely enforced building codes
C) decreased land use regulation
D) seeking reimbursement for financial losses from natural disasters from a government entity
E) willful ignorance

Question 9

Which of the following is the best option for describing mitigation?

A) continuing to challenge nature by building in vulnerable areas, but in safer ways
B) building in accordance with nature, in safe areas out of harm's way
C) willful ignorance
D) building more levees
E) installing bomb shelters in as many homes as possible to protect people from any possible natural hazard

Question 10

Property rights advocates feel homeowners should:

A) be able to do whatever they like with their property.
B) purchase insurance in the event of a disaster.
C) hire a geologist to survey their property before building.
D) be able to blame the real estate agent if their property is damaged.
E) exercise caution when purchasing property.

Question 11

Which of the following options best represents societal attitudes and tendencies toward natural disasters?

A) After a couple years have passed, people quickly forget that disasters can happen again.
B) People usually feel obliged to pay for their damaged property after an incident.
C) People who face losing major investments admit they should have been more cautious.
D) The homeowner is always responsible for property damage of their homes.
E) People always advocate that regions harmed by natural disasters should not be rebuilt.

Question 12

Which of the following is the best answer for a "hard" solution?

A) installing catchment basins below debris-flow channels
B) willful ignorance
C) Installing concrete barriers and riprap along coasts
D) levees on rivers
E) all except willful ignorance

Question 13

Since 1988,federal policy has shifted to emphasize:

A) the precautionary principle.
B) property rights.
C) reverse condemnation.
D) mitigation.
E) willful ignorance.

Question 14

For poor countries,the reduction of vulnerability to natural hazards depends on:

A) strengthening zoning restrictions.
B) improving warning systems.
C) education.
D) cultural, economic, and political factors.
E) willful ignorance.

Question 15

As a result of climate change,the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased by how much worldwide since 1990?

A) doubled
B) decreased by fifty percent
C) tripled
D) stayed the same
E) decreased by ten percent

Question 16

What was the magnitude of the 2010 Haiti earthquake?

A) 7.5
B) 8
C) 6
D) 6.5
E) 7

Question 17

Sea-surface temperatures have increased by how much over the last dozen years?

A) 1 degree Celsius
B) 1 degree Fahrenheit
C) 10 degrees Fahrenheit
D) 10 degrees Celsius
E) 1 degree Kelvin

Question 18

Which of the following is the best answer for a "soft" solution?

A) zoning to prevent building in certain areas
B) installing levees on rivers
C) creating drains on a landslide prone slope
D) installing concrete barriers and riprap along coasts
E) installing catchment basins below debris-flow channels

Question 19

Why are environmentalism ground rules for the poor different than the "well-off"?

A) They do not live in vulnerable areas by choice.
B) They have chosen to move to vulnerable areas for aesthetics.
C) Small farms control fertile valley bottoms.
D) They find steep hillsides more desirable and beneficial.
E) Natural disasters impact poorer countries more frequently.

Question 20

By doing more to live with and accommodate nature's variable behavior,we could:

A) increase the number of hurricanes.
B) decrease the economic disparity between affluent and poorer nations.
C) enhance property rights.
D) reduce the number of disasters or hazards that affect us.
E) control major events like natural disasters.

Question 21

Historically,how has the evolution of civilization contributed to natural disasters?

Question 22

What are some secondary problems (not the storm itself)caused by Hurricane Katrina that are typical of most natural disasters?

Question 23

List some methods of mitigation which help in reducing losses from natural disasters.

Question 24

How are environmental disasters amplified for people in impoverished countries or areas? Use specific examples if you can.

Question 25

In your own words,what is the underlying problem associated with hazard assessment and mitigation? How have we failed to prevent these disasters and to eliminate their destructive effects? What can be done in the future?

Question 26

Describe and discuss three persistent problems associated with natural hazards and possible solutions to mitigate these disasters and their effects.

Question 27

Explain how mitigation is a better answer to natural hazards than controlling nature.

Question 28

What are natural hazards? Give examples.

Question 29

Explain a situation in which people are aware of natural hazards but are willing to live with the physical and financial consequences.

Question 30

Give reasons why major projects to protect property in environmentally vulnerable locations should be stopped.

Question 31

Describe how politics influences the problems associated with natural hazards.How can politicians best serve the needs of their constituents in terms of mitigating natural hazards?

Question 32

What effect will global warming have on natural disasters?

Question 33

How does the prospect of climate change add another dimension to the problem of natural disasters? Describe the effects of climate change on the global community.

Question 34

Who needs to be educated on natural disasters? When should they be educated? Why is education about these issues important?

Question 35

Give an example of the disaster differences for poor countries.Describe how these countries are dealing with their disaster and the vast differences of life for people in these nations.