Populations in the Path of Natural Hazards

A lesson plan from “Making Population Real”by the Population Reference Bureau

Supported by the World Population Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation

Today’s Agenda

1. Introduction

2. Brief background on hurricane impacts related to the activity in the lesson plan

3. Map storm tracks and compare to population density maps in Florida

4. Discuss implications

5. More about Making Population Real and PRB

Making Population Real – Lesson Plan 3:

In the Path of Natural Hazards

Issues Human and natural impacts of settlement in storm-prone areas

Population Concepts

Population density Population distribution Geographic mobility

Tools Population distribution maps Weather data

Objectives

To identify patterns of population change in areas with a history of major storm risk

To evaluate the human and economic costs of a major natural disaster

To explore why people move to places likely to experience major storms

Teaching Standards

AP Geography Standard Addressed

Unit II– Population UnitA. Geographical analysis of population

4. Population and natural hazards: past, present, and future

AP and the Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examination Board which was not involved in the production of these lesson plans

In the Path of Natural Hazards

“Hurricanes and tropical storms have always been one of the primary causes of natural disasters in the Caribbean and the coastal southern United States. But the economic impact of hurricanes in these areas is growing far more severe.”

- Roger-Mark De Souza, Population Reference Bureau

Construction in Harm’s Way:

“Aggressive coastal development, especially the building of homes and businesses in… fragile areas, is also increasing human vulnerability to natural disasters. A 2000 study commissioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency found that Americans have built more than 350,000 structures within 500 feet of U.S. coasts.”

- Roger-Mark De Souza, Population Reference Bureau

Noting Vulnerability U.S. insurance industry paid $39 billion between

2000-2004 for hurricanes and natural disasters; half the total for catastrophic events in prior 30 years

Globally 13 of 25 countries with the greatest number of natural disasters in 1970s and 1980s were small island states

Population growth, concentrations of poverty, migration to cities, and environmental degradation all increase impacts of storms

Source: PRB, “In Harm’s Way,” 2004, www.prb.org/environment

Preventing Damage from Disasters:

The World Bank and U.S. Geological Survey calculated that economic losses worldwide from natural disasters in the 1990s could have been reduced by $280 billion if $40 billion had been invested in preparedness, mitigation, and prevention strategies.

-Charlotte Benson citing research on “The Cost of Disasters”

Where and when did population change most?

What do counties with greatest density have in common?

Florida Counties,Population Density, 2000

UNISYS Weather Storm Tracks

What do storm track maps tell us about vulnerability to hurricanes in Florida?

Group Work: Storm Tracks

Each group should draw the storm tracks that affected Florida for your assigned year

Where was their greatest impact?

Discussing the Impact of Hurricanes Which have been the deadliest U.S.

storms (1851-2004)?

Which have been the costliest?

What changed?

Discussing Population and Risks Why do people move to coastal areas?

What are the risks?

What can or should be done about these risks?

From those suggestions, which options are most feasible?

Making Population Real – Lesson Plan 3:

In the Path of Natural Hazards

Activities:

1. Living on the Edge Analyze Florida population density maps Compare to storm track maps

2. Islands Facing Change Analyze Puerto Rico population density maps Compare to storm track maps

Making Population Real Lesson Plans Population Fundamentals – Building a Foundation

Populations in the Path of Natural Hazards

The Demographic Transition –

A Contemporary Look at a Classic Model

HIV/AIDS and Contemporary Population Dynamics

Population Policy – Progress Since Cairo

People on the Move

Global Migration Patterns

About Making Population Real

Free, on-line curricula utilize up-to-date real-world data and articles from a variety of web-based resources:

United Nations (UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, etc.) U.S. Census Bureau National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration PRB research and publications

Lead author Martha B. Sharma Recipient of the 2006 Geographic Excellence in

Media Award from National Council for Geographic Education

www.prb.org/educators

Population Reference Bureau

Informs people around the world about population, health, and the environment, and empowers them to use that information to advance the well-being of current and future generations.

Analyzes demographic data and research to provide objective, accurate, and up-to-date population information in a format that is easily understood by educators, journalists, and decision makers alike.