Navigating and Mitigating the Risks to Human Life By Alan Hahn
9
Fall 2019 — Partners
THE TRUTH IS, WHETHER IT IS A MANMADE OR NATURALLY-OCCURRING CHEMICAL, CLIMATE, OR A NUMBER OF OTHER POTENTIAL THREATS, RISKS ARE EVERYWHERE. ARE WE FACING MORE RISKS TODAY THAN IN THE PAST?
It seems as if the threats are becoming more numerous and ominous. But are they? How concerned should we be about these risks? Some perspective may be helpful. Environmental and Ecological Risks
Environmental risks are not new; they are, however, more quantifiable. Environmental risks used to come from naturally-occurring toxins that were not understood (e.g., lead, mercury, etc.). Nature presents us with risks in the form of extreme weather – hot, cold, rain, snow, floods, droughts, etc. These, too, are far better understood, forecasted, tracked, and mitigated through, among other actions, sheltering and controlled indoor climate.