We as Humans and the Choices We Conceive

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As certain types of natural disasters continue to happen roughly in the same areas repeatedly, those being Tornados in Kansas, Hurricanes in the Bahamas, Earthquakes in California to just name a few. We as humans continue to populate and grown in these areas; to serve what purpose, to enjoy the natural resources that these areas are obliged to offer? We as humans are historically known to migrate out of areas once we have consumed all the resources. As the resources are bountiful and easily attainable, we tend to flourish in these areas, which also bring the risk of natural disasters. The choices we construct as a species to inhabit areas of high risk to natural disasters are compelling and disturbing at best. I have specifically chosen to live in Colorado, as this state has a low percentage and a low risk for all the major types of natural disasters, a wise choice for any. As documented, the top forty (40) disasters causing fatalities since 1970, due to natural disasters has been in excess of 2 million deaths. (Abbott 10) Could this high of a number of fatalities, been avoided; I’d like to think so. Historically natural disasters of all types, including earthquakes, storms, cyclones, tornado’s, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, have specifically impacted human kind in more than one way. For example the emotional impacts, loss of traditions (entire cultures lost), and financial burdens are to name a few. As we continue to urbanize and grow as a population, space is apparently becoming limited. In reality it is not a factor, but we choose to generate it as such. Living in large groups in concentrated areas, this applies to all facets of people, poor and rich. Unfortunately the highest death tolls of natural disasters co... ... middle of paper ... ...oices, prolonged life vs. assured early death. Works Cited Abbott, Patrick L.. Natural disasters. Ninth ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014. Print. (assigned textbook) El-Masri, Souheil, and Graham Tipple. "Natural Disaster, Mitigation and Sustainability: The Case of Developing Countries." International Planning Studies 7.2 (2002): 157-175. Print. (Course Doc Sharing, provided articles) Spence, Robin. "Risk and regulation: can improved government action reduce the impacts of natural disasters." Building Research & Information 32.5 (2004): 391-402. Print. (Course Doc Sharing, provided articles) Halchuk, Stephen, and John Adams. "Natural Resources Canada." Seismic design tools for engineers. Canada.gc.ca, 26 June 2013. Web. 2 Apr. 2014. . (Outside source, approved by Dr. S., (4 April 2014)

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