The Political Ecology of Vulnerability to Hurricane-Related Hazards

摘要: Differences in research emphases into the impacts and management of natural hazards have, for most part, resulted from two fundamentally different views environment-society relationships. In one view, a self-correcting, homeostatic process operates, which society environmental are inexorably adjusted, toward some acceptable equilibrium. This view infers that people institutions committed to removing known risks life fail do so only where risk is highly uncertain. Proponents second argue vulnerability constructed an open-ended development determines ways hazard likely constitute disaster. The fact aggregate economic losses hurricane increasing well documented. Cases, taken hurricane-hazard recent experience Greater Caribbean Basin, illustrate progression cannot be addressed outside context social trends play significant roles determining “Who vulnerable why”. An appeal made here, more evenhanded (or objective) consideration factors give rise vulnerability. Political ecology provides framework understanding integrating construction climatic risk. It reflects confluence political economy human refers rooted people, values, institutions, environment. We review definition study these perspectives, drawing on insights lessons developed by researchers over past twenty-five years. These especially immediate as programs reduction sustainable development, such International Decade Natural Disaster Reduction, being designed, implemented, evaluated.