Natural disasters losses have accumulated to over four trillion U.S. dollars and nearly three million fatalities in the past four decades. The number of disasters continues to increase, partly due to increases in frequency, size, or extent of the hazards themselves, but also from increasing vulnerability and/or decreasing resiliency of society. This course will explore vulnerability and resiliency to natural hazards, past and future outlooks, and the role of urbanization and corruption, highlighted by several recent earthquakes and hurricanes.
Mr. Hetland is an associate professor in the UM Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, specializing in natural hazards, effects of climate change, and vulnerability. The Study Group for those 50 and over is held Thursdays March 12 through March 26.