ABSTRACT
Hazards, whether of natural, technological, or intentional origin, are the focus of risk management and reduction efforts. Climate change is not in and of itself a specific hazard assessed by these efforts, but is rather an ongoing shift in global climatic conditions that collectively influence other existing hazards. Drastic swings in climatic conditions are known to have occurred throughout the course of our planet’s existence, although research strongly suggests that observed rates of change in previous eras were significantly less dramatic (i.e., more gradual) than what is presenting today. Furthermore, the evidence collected indicates with overwhelmingly confidence that these accelerated rates of change are still gaining momentum.
