Mega-Disasters: Science, Policy and Human Behavior

Destructive hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods and tsunamis have occurred throughout human history often causing vastly more loss of life and disruption of human activities than events orchestrated by terrorists. Natural disasters will keep on occurring, but their effects are increasingly amplified by the presence and policies of humans. Stealth mega-disasters, caused almost solely by humans, are new phenomena that affect the future of civilization itself. These natural and stealth mega-disasters will become increasingly devastating socially and economically because the population of the planet is rapidly increasing and because of human actions and policies.

CAS Resident Associate and Professor of Geology, Susan Kieffer coordinates this initiative that will include a series of panel discussions and invited speakers throughout the academic year. CAS Resident Associate Robert McKim (Religious Studies and Philosophy) and Kieffer will be teaching a related course: