climate change adaptation policies - VATT

Communities and Disaster RiskManagement• Disasters result from complex interactionsbetween human and natural systems.• Disasters only occur when a naturalphenomenon – a hazard such as an earthquakeor storm – affects a human population orcommunity that is exposed and vulnerable to it.• Risk is therefore a function of exposure tothe hazard, the vulnerability of people (interms, for example, of their settlement andlivelihood), and the degree to which societyhas engaged in disaster mitigationactivities.Joensuun yliopistoPL 11180101 Joensuupuh. (013) 251 111fax (013) 251 2050www.joensuu.fi