natural disasters opinion essay

• Essay Topic Generator
• Summary Generator
• Thesis Maker Academic
• Sentence Rephraser
• Read My Paper
• Hypothesis Generator
• Cover Page Generator
• Text Compactor
• Essay Scrambler
• Essay Plagiarism Checker
• Hook Generator
• AI Writing Checker
• Notes Maker
• Overnight Essay Writing
• Topic Ideas
• Writing Tips
• Essay Writing (by Genre)
• Essay Writing (by Topic)

Natural Disaster Essay: How to Write, Topics, & Examples

What would you do if someone told you that a tsunami would wipe out your house tomorrow afternoon? You won’t believe them. It always seems that natural disasters happen in someone else’s life. But every year, millions of people worldwide suffer from various natural calamities. This article attempts to systemize the chaos of nature for you to write an impressive natural disasters essay. You will get acquainted with the seven types of disasters, get a long list of topics and examples of natural disaster essay in 200 words and 300 words.

• 🌪️ Natural Disaster: The Basics
• 💡 114 Essay Topics
• 📑 Outlining Your Essay
• 🌊 Essay Sample (200 Words)
• 🏜️ Essay Sample (300 Words)

🌪️ Natural Disaster Essay: What Is It About?

A natural disaster is a large-scale meteorological or geological event that can to cause loss of life or massive damage to people’s property. Floods and severe storms are the most reported acts of nature in the US, but other incidents also happen from time to time. That is why you can dedicate your essay on natural disasters to earthquakes, droughts, wildfires, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, or tornadoes.

💡 114 Natural Disasters Essay Topics

What could you write in a natural disaster essay? You can invent your own topic about various types of natural disasters, their causes, and aftermath, or their impact on human life and the economy. Depending on the discipline, you can also describe historic calamities that changed the direction of human civilization. Alternatively, choose one from our comprehensive list below.

• Why are the Great Plains of the central US ideal for tornado formation?
• Global Warming and Climate Change Legislation .
• Research the atmospheric parameters inside a tornado.
• Energy, Technology and Climate Change .
• Why are the boundaries of Tornado Alley in the US so debatable?
• The global climate change as a manmade disaster.
• Which actions should you never do when a tornado is nearby?
• Volunteers’ Role During Disasters .
• Suggest your opinion on the best action strategy in a hurricane.
• The Columbia Disaster and safety violations.
• What were the causes and effects of a flood?
• Analysis on Climate Change and Global Impact .
• Describe the most devastating wildfires in the US and find their common features.
• Earthquake Engineering Considerations and Methods .
• Brainstorm ideas to prevent wildfires.
• Global warming and the greenhouse effect.
• How can building dams cause earthquakes?
• Climate Change and Its Impact on Freshwater .
• Analyze the impact of droughts on tourism .
• Climate Change Effect on Coral Reef Communities .
• Describe the most extended droughts in human history.
• Marine and Coastal Climate Change in Australia .
• Write an essay on natural disasters and earthquakes in particular.
• Air pollution and mortality rates
• What are the distinctive features of droughts in third-world countries ?
• Global Warming, Climate Change, and Society’s Impact on the Environment .
• Study the relationship between global warming and droughts.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After a Hurricane .
• Evaluate the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
• Social Media’s Role in Disaster Response .
• Classify the effects of natural disasters in an essay.
• Sustainability and Climate Change .
• Describe the 1815 volcanic eruption of Mt. Tambora, Indonesia.
• Hurricane Katrina: Overview, Impact, Response .
• Each new leap of civilization causes new responses of nature.
• Animal Exploitation. Animal Agriculture and Climate Change .
• Think of any positive effects a volcanic eruption may have.
• In Arizona, Collaboration Averts Water Disaster .
• Children are the poorest victims of any disaster.
• A Solution to Remedy Climate Change .
• Which ways of disaster risk reduction do you know?
• An Emergency Operations Center During Hurricane Harvey .
• Research the current problems in disaster management.
• Disaster Recovery Plan for Information Technology Organizations .
• Analyze ineffective disaster management in an essay about hurricane Katrina.
• Nurse Competencies and Scope of Practice in Disaster .
• What should a household have at home in the case of a disaster?
• Hurricane Katrina: The Powerful Natural Disaster .
• Describe the humanitarian disaster during the drought in Somalia.
• Technology in Disaster Preparedness .
• Can man-made disasters entail natural calamities?
• Disaster Management in Philadelphia .
• Review the criteria for disaster classification.
• Jeddah Floods and Adaptation Strategies in the City of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia .
• Search for real examples of hybrid disasters.
• Natural Disasters Prevention: A Tabletop Exercise .
• Who is responsible for casualties after a natural disaster?
• The Sand Storms: Remote Sensing and Meteorological Variables .
• List the lessons we could learn from our past disaster experience.
• Fire Development, Growth, and Spreads .
• The ice storm and silver thaw: A gentle disaster.
• Fire Crisis Management in the UAE .
• Rockslides: A pressing issue for rural areas.
• 1d – 2d Flood Modeling Using PCSWMM .
• What are the psychological benefits of disaster preparedness?
• Structural Control and Origin of Volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone .
• When does a blizzard become a disaster?
• Extreme Weather Events + Geographies of Globalization .
• Research the causes of dust storms and name the affected areas.
• Strategies for Sustainable Integrated Oil Disaster Management in West Africa .
• Why did the San Francisco earthquake (1906) cause devastating fires?
• Causes of Climate Change .
• What could be done to help people who lost their homes in an earthquake?
• Book Review: Energy and Global Climate Change .
• Analyze the role of World Vision in humanitarian aid after disasters.
• Tangshan earthquake of 1976 showed that high population density is disastrous.
• The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Climate Change .
• Rock avalanche: Why water is the most powerful geological agent.
• Aspects of Climate Change .
• When do extreme weather conditions turn into a disaster?
• Climate Change: Reasons, Kyoto Protocol .
• Write an article on shelter-providing organizations for disaster victims.
• Establishing an IT Disaster Recovery Plan .
• Describe earthquake cycles in Haiti.
• Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food .
• How can nature damage ecology in natural disasters?
• Climate Change. Problems. Effects .
• Disaster management should include psychological help to the survivors.
• Climate Change Causes: Position and Strategies .
• Suggest ways to prevent damage caused by debris flow.
• HAT 4: Disaster in Franklin Country .
• How did the lack of evacuation after the Bhola cyclone (1970) result in the massive death toll?
• The Effects of Climate Change .
• The most significant Yellow River flood: 2 million deaths in 1887.
• Resilience Building Against Natural Disasters in the Caribbean Islands .
• Sinkholes: A natural disaster or attraction for cavers and water-divers?
• Global Climate Change and Health .
• Describe the dynamics of landslides in California .
• Which early-warning systems to detect avalanches do you know?
• Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action .
• Pyroclastic flow: The deadliest volcanic hazard.
• Communication During Disaster Response .
• Describe the volcano eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed the Herculaneum and Pompeii.
• Disaster Planning for Families .
• Disaster prevention measures: Investments that save millions of lives.
• Natural Disaster Management and Historical Prospective Study in the UAE .
• Research the PTSD in survivors of natural disasters.
• Are the latest disasters the nature’s fightback to humanity?
• Estimate the human impact on natural disasters.
• List the countries with the largest number of disasters and find their standard features.
• Everyday Communication on Climate Change .
• Insurance coverage against disasters: Our inevitable future.
• Emergency Planning Before and After Hurricane Katrina .
• One natural disaster could bring the world to its end.

Haven’t found a suitable topic in the list above? Use our essay topic generator to get more ideas.

📑 Natural Disaster Essay Outline

Outlines differ, depending on the assigned length and essay type. It is a reference sample. Feel free to modify it, extending some points and narrowing the others. Still, the overall structure should remain the same. We have chosen the “Causes of Earthquakes” essay topic for demonstrative purposes.

• Hook . There are millions of possible ways to start your essay, from a rhetorical question to any imaginable scenario. The point is to grab the reader’s attention, showing them that your writing is unique and creative. For example: We are always concerned with the consequences of a natural disaster. But what brought us into such a calamity in the first place?
• Concepts. Natural disasters can be studied in the framework of various disciplines. But in all cases, they are linked with geology, biology, chemistry, geography, and some other subjects with broad and complicated terminology. Explain the terms that could be elusive for your readers here. For example: For the purposes of this essay, an earthquake is a sudden displacement of the land surface.
• Background. How did you come to think of this problem? Why is it topical? The causes of earthquakes are numerous and often unrelated. To understand them as a system, we need a strict classification.
• Thesis statement . Clearly state the aim of your essay. This essay attempts to group the causes of earthquakes to determine which factors can be tackled by human forces.
• Transition sentence. It comes in the previous sentence (for paragraphs 2 and 3) and ensures smooth reading. E.g.: Tectonic movements are the most powerful causes of earthquakes, and we cannot influence them. But still, there is something we could do.
• Topic sentence . What will you explain in this paragraph? Human interference with nature can also cause earthquakes.
• Evidence. How can you confirm the topic sentence? Heavy clubbing of dam water can disturbance the crustal balance. Nuclear bombing causes shockwaves that penetrate the surface, changing the tectonic plates and their natural alignment. Mining can also cause earthquakes by removing extensive volumes of stone from under the ground.
• Warrant. Why does the reader need this information, and how does it relate to the thesis statement? Knowing these facts can help us change the old-fashioned approaches and lessen the ecological damage to our planet.
• Summary. Collect and summarize all your arguments here. Tectonic movements, volcano eruptions, and geological faults cause a significant part of earthquakes worldwide. But various man-made causes bring us to the same result.
• Rephrased thesis. We cannot stop the tectonic movements or hinder volcanic eruptions, but we can use natural resources with more care.

🌊 Natural Disaster Essay 200 Words

Below you will find a short natural disaster essay for 200 words. It explores the causes and effects of the tsunami in Japan in 2011.

Tsunami in Japan: Causes and Effects The proximity of the deadliest disasters is often unpredictable. As a result, the consequences of a tsunami can exceed any possible expectations. This essay looks for the decisive factors that caused the tsunami in Japan in 2011 and its results for the local population and other countries. The causes were out of human control and could not be predicted. The Pacific plate moved in the horizontal and vertical plane, advancing beneath the Eurasian Plate. It displaced the seawater above and entailed several destructive waves. The disaster had enormous consequences for the Japanese people and their economy. It killed almost 16,000 people, although the country had a sophisticated alarming system. Besides, the earthquake caused fires and explosions at oil factories. The cooling system of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant went out of service. Two people were lost, and many were injured. Nissan, like many other large corporations, had to suspend the operation of its four factories. The economic losses due to the catastrophe amounted to 300 billion dollars. But the disaster moved to other places. On 24 March 2011, the earthquake in the east of Myanmar claimed the lives of 60 people and destroyed 300 buildings. As we can see, everything is linked on our planet. Movements of the earth’ crust in any part of the world bring about earthquakes and tsunami in other countries. The series of waves in Japan was caused by the underwater earthquake and had horrible consequences.

🏜️ Natural Disaster Essay 300 Words

If your assignment is longer, you will have to provide your opinion in the essay. Or, you can make your argumentation more detailed. Below you can check our 300-word sample of a disaster essay.

The Economic Effects of the Dust Bowl Drought When someone says “a natural disaster,” we usually imagine an earthquake or a tsunami. Buildings are destroyed, and property is lost. But imagine a scenario of a devastating drought, which happened in the US in the 1930s. Its effect is less visible because it lies in the domain of the national economy. This essay reveals the economic consequences of the Dust Bowl drought. During the third decade of the XX century, strong winds raised choking dust in the southern states, from Texas to Nebraska. People and animals died as the crops failed in the area for several years in a row. The Dust Bowl lasted for almost a decade and was also called “the Dirty Thirties.” This drought intensified the impact of the Great Depression. Local farmers had to migrate to urban areas in search of better conditions and other sources of living. About 2.5 million people moved West from the worst-hit states, namely New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas. But they found only discrimination, meager salaries, and inhuman working conditions. Many had to live in tents near irrigation ditches. They were called “Okies,” a disdainful name for migrants of any state. Regular rains returned to the southern states by the end of 1939, closing the drought. However, the economic aftermath persisted. The counties that suffered the most failed to recover the agricultural value of their land till the 1950s. Thus, the local population kept decreasing for twenty years. Although a drought does not ruin property, it can tangibly lower human life levels. The Dust Bowl threw people into a lose-lose situation. Their farms were unfit for gaining any profit, and the new places of living gave them no better opportunities. It took two decades to restore public wellbeing in the Southern States.

Researching the worst acts of nature can teach you to value what you have. We hope that this article has made your creative writing more manageable and pleasurable. You can write an essay of any length by simply following our outline. All you will need to do after that is make a cover page for it.

Please share your natural disaster essay ideas in the comments below.

❓ Natural Disaster Essay FAQ

How to write an essay about natural disaster.

Your approach should depend on the discipline. But in any case, you can discuss the types of disasters, their consequences, characteristics, and preconditions. The excellent idea is to select a past disastrous event and analyze it from the economic, social, or individual point of view.

What Is a Disaster Essay?

A disaster essay explores the stages of a natural or man-made calamity and seeks the possible ways to prevent similar emergencies in the future. An article on disaster management studies the correct and efficient activities to lower the casualties and property loss after a disaster.

What Is Disaster Preparedness Essay?

This type of writing analyzes the level of readiness of a region or municipality to an unexpected natural disaster. You can highlight the vulnerable groups of the population that will suffer the most. Or, you may invent measures that could reduce the disaster response and coping time. Such assignments teach you strategic thinking and a systematic approach to problem-solving.

How to Describe a Natural Disaster for an Essay?

You should specify that the event was unexpected and led to many deaths and property loss. The most critical things include the causes of the disaster, its progress and duration, and the negative consequences for the locals. You can also specify the negative effect on the economy and humanitarian condition of the area.

🔗 References

• Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC
• Types of Disasters | SAMHSA
• Natural Disaster – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
• Natural Disasters – National Geographic
• What Is Disaster Management: Prevention and Mitigation

Natural Disasters Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on natural disasters.

A Natural disaster is an unforeseen occurrence of an event that causes harm to society. There are many Natural disasters that damage the environment and the people living in it. Some of them are earthquakes , cyclones, floods, Tsunami , landslides, volcanic eruption, and avalanches. Spatial extent measures the degree or severity of the disaster.

Levels of Disaster

The severity or degree of damage can be further divided into three categories:

Small Scale Disasters: Small scale disasters are those that extend from 50 Kms. to 100 Kms. So this kind of disasters does not cause much damage.

Medium-scale disasters: Medium Scale disasters extend from 100 Kms to 500 Kms. These cause more damage than a small scale disaster. Moreover, they can cause greater damage if they occur in colonial states.

Large Scale Disasters: These disasters cover an area of more than 1000 Kms. These cause the most severe damage to the environment. Furthermore, these disasters can even take over a country if the degree is high. For instance, the wiping out of the dinosaurs was because of a large scale natural disaster.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Types of Disasters

Causes: These can cause of releasing of the energy. This release is from the core of the earth. Furthermore, the release of energy causes seismic waves. Rupturing of geological faults causes earthquakes. But other events like volcanic eruptions, landslides mine blasts can also cause it.

Landslides: Landslides is the moving of big boulders of rocks or debris down a slope. As a result, landslides occur on mountains and hilly areas. Moreover, landslides can cause destruction to man-made things in many ways.

Causes: Gravitational pull, volcanic eruptions , earthquakes can cause landslides. Moreover, soil erosion due to deforestation is also a cause of landslides.

Avalanches: Avalanches are like landslides. But instead of rocks thousand tons of snow falls down the slope. Moreover, this causes extreme damage to anything that comes in its way. People who live in snowy mountains always have fear of it.

Causes: Avalanches takes places when there is a large accumulation of snow on the mountains. Moreover, they can also occur from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Furthermore, the chances of surviving an avalanche are very less. This is because people die of hypothermia in it.

Tsunami: Tsunami is the production of very high waves in oceans and seas. Moreover, the displacement of the ground causes these high waves. A tsunami can cause floods if it occurs near shores. A Tsunami can consist of multiple waves. Moreover, these waves have a high current. Therefore it can reach coastlines within minutes. The main threat of a tsunami is if a person sees a Tsunami he cannot outrun it.

Causes: Tsunami is unlike normal eaves that occur due to the wind. But Tsunami is waves that occur by ground displacement. Thus earthquakes are the main causes of Tsunamis.

FAQs on Essay on natural disaster

Q1.What are natural disasters?

A1. Natural Disasters are unforeseen events that cause damage to the environment and the people.

Q2.Name some Natural disasters.

A2. Some Natural Disasters are earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, Landslides, floods, Tsunami, avalanches. Natural disasters can cause great damage to human society. But preventive measures can be taken to reduce the damage from these disasters.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Essays About Natural Disasters: 5 Examples and Prompts

Essays about natural disasters teach us many things; read on to see examples and prompts you can use for your piece.

Natural disasters are the sudden occurrence of natural and severe hazards threatening human welfare and survival. These events can cause injuries, destroy assets such as homes and businesses, and even death. Some examples of natural disasters are tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and storms.

Although emergency protocols are in place to alleviate and prevent natural disasters’ impact on both humanity and the economy, there is still no guarantee that these will be able to protect and save everyone from these misfortunes. Therefore, writing essays about natural disasters helps spread awareness on how to act when one faces these mishaps properly.

Below are five examples you should read to create essays about natural disasters effectively:

1. Planning For a Safer Tomorrow by Jyotsana B

2. natural disasters are often not natural by sandra valdez, 3. natural disasters essay by pradeep, 4. equity during natural disasters by writer kip, 5. natural disasters: nature’s revenge by anonymous on loveliessays.com, 1. my experience with natural disasters, 2. natural disasters: a history, 3. natural disasters and the economy, 4. types of natural disasters, 5. my take on natural disaster management, 6. causes of natural disasters, 7. after effects of natural disasters, 8. recovery from a natural disaster.

“Natural disasters have a severe impact on the society, therefore it is important to plan and develop a safety programme and devise means to efficiently deal with natural disaster. Development programme that go into promoting development at the local level have been left to the general exercise of planning.”

The author shares tips on how to prevent calamities and be prepared in case these natural disasters occur. These steps include proper analysis and risk assessment, adequate information database, modern infrastructure, and networks of knowledge-based institutions. The essay further expounds on each point and gives specific directions on successfully implementing these precautions.

“The word ‘natural’ indicates that humans have not triggered the catastrophe. However, human activity can definitely interfere with nature, which in turn may either cause a natural disaster or make its impacts much worse.”

Although Valdez agrees that “natural disasters” means humans do not directly create them, she also considers human’s significant contributions to these tragedies. She offers an example of earthquakes and the fluid injection incident in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver, Colorado. She further lists more human activities that trigger earthquakes, blaming human engineering that stresses the Earth’s faults. Finally, she acknowledges human speeds up disasters and human elements are innate in these equations.

“There is no doubt that extending help to someone during tough times is paramount. Rich countries should support poverty-stricken nations with altruistic aid while calamities take place… Being rich, similar nations are in a position to support countries that suffer economically and emotionally during nature havoc. The result of this is, not only induces good relations between countries but also paves the way to commercial transactions with minimized taxes in the future.”

Pradeep supports that countries with more resources should aid those with lesser assets. It’s not only because of altruistic reasons but because it can also be the foundation for good relationships between governments. These relationships can result in successful transactions and give comfort and security to grief-stricken countries.

“Should we allow prices to increase during natural disasters or should we protect against price gouging?… No policy is best for everyone… In the grand scheme of things, the market will return to normal the quickest whenever the market prices are allowed to fluctuate.”

Kip criticizes the way businesses increase the goods’ prices when there is a natural disaster. He questions if it’s the right thing to do to consumers who are only trying to purchase what they need to be ready for catastrophes. 

He also includes business reviews that rationalize high prices by arguing increasing prices prevents product hoarding. He challenges this statement by asking the readers to consider those who don’t have the money to buy these overpriced essentials. The writer also mentions other terms to explain the economy during a natural disaster and even involves the government’s processes to mitigate its harmful effects.

“Our environment is our responsibility… Exactly who polluted our planet so much? There is only one answer: man. It is man’s actions that have caused the problem… Humanity must realize that if the current trends are allowed to continue unchecked, the future of life on Earth is at risk. it must be conserved.”

Is nature retaliating because of humans’ disregard for it? The author offers reports to present the unpredictability of these disasters brought by climate change. To further prove their points, the author lays down facts like the quick rising of the sea and changing rain patterns. 

At the end of the essay, the writer urges man to be an environmentalist because he depends on his surroundings for food and shelter. Therefore, to survive, humans must treat nature well.

A tip: Run your essay through essay writing apps to organize and help you with style and grammar.

8 Prompts on Essays About Natural Disasters

There are many aspects of natural disasters you can zero in on. Here are easy but compelling prompts to tackle:

Share your experience with a calamity, and narrate what happened before, during, and after. Are there certain things you wish you did or didn’t do? Include how it affected your life and how you understand things work, such as the importance of first responders and following authorities in times of panic and chaos.

Then, focus on your personal experience. For example, your family might have to move places because you lost your home. Or that today, you always have an emergency bag packed and ready. You might also be interested in these essays about nature .

List down notable natural disasters that changed the course of the world. This could include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Then, explain why they happened, how the government or country dealt with it, and discuss the precautions executed in case the disaster occurs again. Finally, include the lessons you learned from these tragedies.

Explain how natural disasters affect the economy. Then, to make it more relatable, you can relay the impact of these tragedies on your life. For example, did any of your relatives lose their job because of a natural disaster? Was your family forced to close down your business? Include personal anecdotes to create an engaging essay.

List the many natural disasters and discuss them in detail. In this essay, you can delve into the causes of each type of natural disaster and how it impacts nearby civilizations. What do you fear the most in these disasters? To make it easier, you can pick two natural disasters to compare and contrast.

Choose an incident where natural disaster management was applied and give your thoughts about it. Research a recent natural disaster and study how the local and national government managed it. If any failed initiatives or points could be improved upon, make sure to write your thoughts about this in your essay. Then, you can discuss what you believe will aid natural disaster management in the future.

For this prompt, you can split your essay into two sections. One section can discuss environmental causes, while the other delves into human activities that cause natural disasters. Topics can include pollution, climate change, and overpopulation of small areas. To create an emotive essay, write about your thoughts on what we can do as a society to mitigate these harmful activities.

Consider the short and long-term effects of these natural disasters. You can concentrate on a specific tragedy that the general public knows so your reader can easily imagine what you describe in your essay. To make your piece more interesting, you can list natural disasters’ negative and positive effects.

If you want your essay to focus on something positive, choose to discuss new beginnings. For example, you can center on a community and how its people helped each other recover. You can also include the assistance they received from different places and how it aided them in restarting their lives after the disaster.

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

View all posts

• CBSE Class 10th
• CBSE Class 12th
• UP Board 10th
• UP Board 12th
• Bihar Board 10th
• Bihar Board 12th
• Top Schools in India
• Top Schools in Delhi
• Top Schools in Mumbai
• Top Schools in Chennai
• Top Schools in Hyderabad
• Top Schools in Kolkata
• Top Schools in Pune
• Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

• JEE Main Knockout April
• Free Sample Papers
• Free Ebooks
• NCERT Notes
• NCERT Syllabus
• NCERT Books
• RD Sharma Solutions
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
• NCERT Solutions
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12
• NCERT Solutions for Class 11
• NCERT solutions for Class 10
• NCERT solutions for Class 9
• NCERT solutions for Class 8
• NCERT Solutions for Class 7
• JEE Main 2024
• JEE Advanced 2024
• BITSAT 2024
• View All Engineering Exams
• Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
• Top Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
• Top IITs in India
• Top NITs in India
• Top IIITs in India
• JEE Main College Predictor
• JEE Main Rank Predictor
• MHT CET College Predictor
• AP EAMCET College Predictor
• GATE College Predictor
• KCET College Predictor
• JEE Advanced College Predictor
• View All College Predictors
• JEE Main Question Paper
• JEE Main Mock Test
• JEE Main Registration
• JEE Main Syllabus
• Download E-Books and Sample Papers
• Compare Colleges
• B.Tech College Applications
• GATE 2024 Result
• MAH MBA CET Exam
• View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

• MBA College Admissions
• MBA Colleges in India
• Top IIMs Colleges in India
• Top Online MBA Colleges in India
• MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
• BBA Colleges in India
• XAT College Predictor 2024
• SNAP College Predictor
• NMAT College Predictor
• MAT College Predictor 2024
• CMAT College Predictor 2024
• CAT Percentile Predictor 2023
• CAT 2023 College Predictor
• CMAT 2024 Registration
• TS ICET 2024 Registration
• CMAT Exam Date 2024
• MAH MBA CET Cutoff 2024
• Download Helpful Ebooks
• List of Popular Branches
• QnA - Get answers to your doubts
• IIM Fees Structure
• AIIMS Nursing
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
• Medical Colleges accepting NEET
• List of Medical Colleges in India
• List of AIIMS Colleges In India
• Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
• Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
• NEET College Predictor
• NEET PG College Predictor
• NEET MDS College Predictor
• DNB CET College Predictor
• DNB PDCET College Predictor
• NEET Application Form 2024
• NEET PG Application Form 2024
• NEET Cut off
• NEET Online Preparation
• Download Helpful E-books
• LSAT India 2024
• Colleges Accepting Admissions
• Top Law Colleges in India
• Law College Accepting CLAT Score
• List of Law Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Delhi
• Top Law Collages in Indore
• Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
• Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

• CLAT College Predictor
• MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
• AILET College Predictor
• Sample Papers
• Compare Law Collages
• Careers360 Youtube Channel
• CLAT Syllabus 2025
• CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
• AIBE 18 Result 2023
• NID DAT Exam
• Pearl Academy Exam

Animation Courses

• Animation Courses in India
• Animation Courses in Bangalore
• Animation Courses in Mumbai
• Animation Courses in Pune
• Animation Courses in Chennai
• Animation Courses in Hyderabad
• Design Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in Bangalore
• Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
• Fashion Design Colleges in Pune
• Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
• Fashion Design Colleges in Hyderabad
• Fashion Design Colleges in India
• Top Design Colleges in India
• Free Design E-books
• List of Branches
• Careers360 Youtube channel
• NIFT College Predictor
• UCEED College Predictor
• NID DAT College Predictor
• IPU CET BJMC
• JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
• IIMC Entrance Exam
• Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
• Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
• Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
• List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
• CA Intermediate
• CA Foundation
• CS Executive
• CS Professional
• Difference between CA and CS
• Difference between CA and CMA
• CA Full form
• CMA Full form
• CS Full form
• CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Company Secretary
• Cost Accountant
• Charted Accountant
• Credit Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Top Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
• Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
• Top B.Com Colleges in India
• IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
• MCA Colleges in India
• BCA Colleges in India

Quick Links

• Information Technology Courses
• Programming Courses
• Web Development Courses
• Data Analytics Courses
• Big Data Analytics Courses
• RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
• Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
• Pharmacy Colleges in Pune
• Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai
• Colleges Accepting GPAT Score
• Pharmacy Colleges in Lucknow
• List of Pharmacy Colleges in Nagpur
• GPAT Result
• GPAT 2024 Admit Card
• GPAT Question Papers
• NCHMCT JEE 2024
• Mah BHMCT CET
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Delhi
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Hyderabad
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Maharashtra
• B.Sc Hotel Management
• Hotel Management
• Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Diploma Colleges

• Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
• UPSC IAS 2024
• SSC CGL 2024
• IBPS RRB 2024
• Previous Year Sample Papers
• Free Competition E-books
• Sarkari Result
• QnA- Get your doubts answered
• UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
• CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
• SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
• NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

• NDA Application Form 2024
• UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
• CDS Application Form 2024
• CTET Admit card 2024
• HP TET Result 2023
• SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
• UPTET Notification 2024
• SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

• SSC CHSL 2024
• UP PCS 2024
• UGC NET 2024
• RRB NTPC 2024
• IBPS PO 2024
• IBPS Clerk 2024
• IBPS SO 2024
• Top University in USA
• Top University in Canada
• Top University in Ireland
• Top Universities in UK
• Top Universities in Australia
• Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
• Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in Ireland
• Study in Germany
• Study in China
• Study in Europe

Student Visas

• Student Visa Canada
• Student Visa UK
• Student Visa USA
• Student Visa Australia
• Student Visa Germany
• Student Visa New Zealand
• Student Visa Ireland
• CUET PG 2024
• IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
• DU Admission
• UP B.Ed JEE 2024
• DDU Entrance Exam
• IIT JAM 2024
• IGNOU Online Admission 2024
• Universities in India
• Top Universities in India 2024
• Top Colleges in India
• Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Bihar
• Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
• Central Universities in India
• CUET PG Admit Card 2024
• IGNOU Date Sheet
• CUET Mock Test 2024
• CUET Application Form 2024
• CUET PG Syllabus 2024
• CUET Participating Universities 2024
• CUET Previous Year Question Paper
• CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
• E-Books and Sample Papers
• CUET Exam Pattern 2024
• CUET Exam Date 2024
• CUET Syllabus 2024
• IGNOU Exam Form 2024
• IGNOU Result
• CUET PG Courses 2024

Engineering Preparation

• Knockout JEE Main 2024
• Test Series JEE Main 2024
• JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

• Knockout NEET 2024
• Test Series NEET 2024
• Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

• JEE Main One Month Course
• NEET One Month Course
• IBSAT Free Mock Tests
• IIT JEE Foundation Course
• Knockout BITSAT 2024
• Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

• IT & Software Certification Courses
• Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
• Programming And Development Certification Courses
• Business and Management Certification Courses
• Marketing Certification Courses
• Health and Fitness Certification Courses
• Design Certification Courses

Specializations

• Digital Marketing Certification Courses
• Cyber Security Certification Courses
• Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
• Business Analytics Certification Courses
• Data Science Certification Courses
• Cloud Computing Certification Courses
• Machine Learning Certification Courses
• View All Certification Courses
• UG Degree Courses
• PG Degree Courses
• Short Term Courses
• Free Courses
• Online Degrees and Diplomas
• Compare Courses

Top Providers

• Coursera Courses
• Udemy Courses
• Edx Courses
• Swayam Courses
• upGrad Courses
• Simplilearn Courses
• Great Learning Courses

Access premium articles, webinars, resources to make the best decisions for career, course, exams, scholarships, study abroad and much more with

Plan, Prepare & Make the Best Career Choices

Natural Disasters Essay

Natural disasters are not in the control of human beings. Like many other countries, India is also plagued with many natural disasters because of its geographical location and environment. In the past few decades, the temperature in the Indian subcontinent has risen. A natural calamity is called a disaster when it affects people or property on a large scale. Here are a few sample essays on the topic ‘Natural Disasters’.

100 Words Essay On Natural Disasters

Humans have been subjected to the impact of natural disasters for as long as they have been on Earth. Disasters, unfortunately, are happening all the time. Most of the Natural Disasters we see are caused by natural forces. Therefore, they are almost impossible to prevent from happening. Natural disasters like floods, drought, landslides, earthquakes, and cyclones frequently occur all throughout the world. Often, natural disasters leave mass effects and it can take years to control the damage. However, the negative effects and damages caused by these natural disasters can be reduced significantly if proper warning systems or policies are used.

200 Words Essay On Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are mostly naturally occurring events that greatly damage human lives and assets. Every year, many lives are lost due to natural disasters across the globe. Many people are left with no home or property. They suffer endlessly. Some natural disasters are floods, landslides, cyclones, hurricanes, drought, wildfires. This problem becomes far more severe when a natural disaster occurs in a densely populated place. Unfortunately, most natural disasters are unpreventable from happening. We can only forecast these events and take necessary measures to mitigate the loss.

India is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters because of its unique geological position. Every year India witnesses nearly five cyclones of various intensities. Droughts in summer and mild to strong earthquakes are frequently experienced in many northern parts of India near the Himalayas. In India, wildfires are caused in the forest area during the autumn and summer seasons. Our country is also witnessing dramatic climate changes and massive global warming due to pollution and greenhouse gases. Due to this, natural disasters are becoming more frequent than before.

Coping Up With Natural Disasters

Most natural disasters are out of our control and can occur randomly. All we can do, however, is take necessary precautions as soon as we are able to predict when the disaster is going to take place. Global Warming is an important reason for all these things. Therefore, we must protect and preserve our natural environment. It is essential to warn people of upcoming disasters. A mandatory evacuation should be carried out if necessary. After the disaster, people should be provided financial help to recover from damages and losses from the disaster.

500 Words Essay On Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are events that occur due to either biological activity or human-made activity. Human lives and property are affected for a long time after it occurs. The number of cases is increasing worldwide every day. It is because of the over-exploitation of natural resources by mankind. India suffers significantly from natural disasters due to its vulnerable geographical location. Due to this, our country still needs a proper disaster management unit.

Types Of Natural Disasters

Different kinds of Natural Disasters in India occur very often and have major effects on people’s lives.

Earthquake | An earthquake is a natural event when the Earth's tectonic plates suddenly shift and cause the ground to shake. This shaking can damage buildings and other structures, as well as loss of life. Earthquakes can happen at any time and can strike without warning, making them a frightening and unpredictable phenomenon.

Cyclone | A cyclone is a type of storm characterised by a low-pressure centre and strong winds that spiral inward and upward. Cyclones are also typhoons or hurricanes, depending on the region in which they occur. Cyclones form over warm ocean waters and typically move toward land, where they can cause widespread damage and destruction. They are often accompanied by heavy rainfall and can spawn tornadoes. The destructive power of a cyclone comes from its strong winds, which can reach speeds of over 150 miles per hour. These winds can uproot trees, damage buildings, and create storm surges, large waves that can flood coastal areas.

Wildfire | A wildfire is a large, uncontrolled fire that occurs in a natural habitat, such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires can happen due to various factors, including lightning, human activity, and extreme weather conditions. When a wildfire occurs, it can spread quickly, consuming everything in its path. Wildfires can have many adverse effects on the environment and people. For example, they can destroy homes and other buildings and critical infrastructures, such as roads and bridges. They can also cause air pollution and respiratory issues for people living in the area.

Human Activities And Natural Disasters

Human activities can contribute to the occurrence and severity of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires. For example, activities like deforestation, urbanisation, and climate change can increase the likelihood and impact of these events.

Deforestation, which removes vegetation from an area, can increase the risk of natural disasters. Trees and other vegetation hold the upper layer of soil in place, which prevents erosion and landslides. When these plants are removed, the ground becomes more vulnerable to being swept away by heavy rainfall or other natural forces.

Urbanisation, or the growth of cities and towns, can also contribute to natural disasters. As more and more people move into urban areas, the risk of earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters increases. For example, the construction of buildings and other structures can alter the natural landscape, making it more susceptible to damage from earthquakes and other events.

Climate change, the long-term warming of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, can also increase the likelihood and severity of natural disasters. Higher temperatures can lead to more often intense heat waves, droughts, and wildfires. Rising sea levels can cause more severe flooding, particularly in coastal areas.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

• Construction
• Entertainment
• Manufacturing
• Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process. 

Applications for Admissions are open.

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Get up to 90% scholarship on NEET, JEE & Foundation courses

SAT® | CollegeBoard

Registeration closing on 19th Apr for SAT® | One Test-Many Universities | 90% discount on registrations fee | Free Practice | Multiple Attempts | no penalty for guessing

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

TOEFL ® Registrations 2024

Thinking of Studying Abroad? Think the TOEFL® test. Register now & Save 10% on English Proficiency Tests with Gift Cards

Resonance Coaching

Enroll in Resonance Coaching for success in JEE/NEET exams

ALLEN JEE Exam Prep

Start your JEE preparation with ALLEN

Everything about Education

Latest updates, Exclusive Content, Webinars and more.

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Cetifications

We Appeared in

Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Natural Disasters — Natural Disasters: Causes and Impacts

Natural Disasters: Causes and Impacts

• Categories: Natural Disasters

About this sample

Words: 682 |

Published: Jan 31, 2024

Words: 682 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, definition of natural disasters, causes of natural disasters, environmental effects of natural disasters, economic effects of natural disasters, social effects of natural disasters, mitigation and preparedness measures.

• Callaghan, K., & Alexander, M. (2018). Hurricane Harvey on the Gulf Coast: A Comprehensive Analysis of Impacts. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Kennedy School.
• IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.
• McMahon, J., & Keefer, J. (2016). Social Vulnerability and Tropical Cyclones in Sint Maarten. Journal of Water and Climate Change , 7(2), 396-408.
• UNDRR. (2017). Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction. United Nations.
• Vos, F., Dykes, J., & Pierce, L. (2017). Flood Preparedness and Early-warning System Effectiveness in the Philippines. Disasters, 41(S1), S16-S37.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

• Expert in: Environment

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 493 words

3 pages / 1325 words

3 pages / 1262 words

1 pages / 477 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Natural Disasters

Volcanoes are an inescapable part of our planet's geologic makeup, and their eruptions can have devastating consequences for the environment. In this essay, I will explore the myriad ways in which volcanoes affect the [...]

Bodine, D., M. R. Kumjian, R. D. Palmer, P. L. Heinselman, and A. Ryzhkov, 2013: Tornado damage estimation using polarimetric radar. Wea. Forecasting, 28, 139–158.R. D. Palmer, and G. Zhang, 2014: Dual-wavelength polarimetric [...]

The 2022 New York flooding event has been a wake-up call for many, signaling the urgent need for climate action and resilience building in the face of extreme weather events. This essay will delve into the aftermath of the [...]

Climate change is an urgent global concern, with far-reaching consequences for our planet. One of the most visible manifestations of climate change is its impact on global weather patterns. In this essay, we will utilize recent [...]

What is a disaster? According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies a disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human, [...]

This article is about outdoor fires. For other uses, see Wildfire (disambiguation). For other uses, see Brushfire (disambiguation).The Rim Fire consumed more than 250,000 acres (1,000 km2) of forest near Yosemite National Park, [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Natural Disasters Essay for Students in English

Read Natural Disaster Essay on Vedantu

The planet earth has gone through many changes over these centuries. These changes are majorly due to natural disasters happening throughout time. When we talk about natural disasters, pollution, ozone depletion and global warming are the most common scenarios we witnessed.

Growing industrialisation and exploitation of natural resources have changed the echo system bringing on the verge of imbalance. However, over these decades, humans have also introduced many disaster warning systems helping to predict natural occurrence in advance. You can read more about Natural Disasters on Vedantu.

Different Faces of Natural Disasters

Nature possesses the character of a special balance in which all living beings live together in harmony with their environment. But whenever this balance is disturbed, we see the disastrous form of nature which wreaks havoc upon this world. Natural disasters come in various forms like earthquakes, Tsunami, Storms, Cyclones, droughts etc. These disasters have always occurred throughout history but the current threat of climate change has severely increased its risks. Man has to learn that he cannot control nature and his life should revolve around the conditions present in the environment and not the other way around.

We have tried to change the basic character of the Human-Nature relationship with every metric of development being centred on financial interest and the rise of global consumerism.  This way of life promotes greed and has fundamentally made human beings disoriented towards nature. Our festivals celebrate the intrinsic relationship between humans and the environment where we celebrate Mountains, Rivers, and Animals etc. Natural disasters are a reminder that humans must never take the gift of nature for granted and always reciprocate for the resources that we have received from the environment. Clean Air, Clean Water and harmony in the ecosystem is a prerequisite for Human well being.  

How to Deal with Natural Disasters?

India, due to its unique geographical character, faces natural disasters every year which cause massive harm to lives and property. Whether it be the floods of Uttarakhand in 2013 or the landslides in Western Ghats of Kerala. The cost of our blind exploitation of natural resources without showing reverence for the delicate balance of Nature has severely harmed us and we must learn lessons from these incidents.

One of the greatest stories of the Indian government in dealing with disaster readiness has been the story of the Indian state of Odisha. Odisha is a coastal state in eastern India that regularly faces cyclones that have caused great harm to the state. To deal with the menace of these cyclones the Odisha Government made an elaborate plan by taking the local communities in confidence and have successfully reduced the number of deaths in Odisha to a very small number which used to be in thousands earlier. Other Indian states should also learn from the experience of Odisha on how to improve disaster preparedness.

Keeping our environment safe and following the right process will help in bringing down the natural disasters. It is vital to learn about them.

FAQs on Natural Disasters Essay for Students in English

1.  What are natural disasters increasing?

Over the years, natural disasters have increased. Regular earthquakes, massive flooding, cyclones, etc. have increased. According to the office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) which maintains an emergency disaster database, if a natural disaster kills 10 people, then it leaves 100 people injured. Increase in hydro-meteorological disasters, the combination of natural and man-made factors is leading to an increase in natural disasters.

2. What are the natural disasters that happened in 2020?

From wildfires in the US to locusts attack in India and back-to-back cyclones in India, there are many natural disasters in 2020. According to the Global Catastrophe Recap’s First Half of 2020 report, there were more than 207 natural disasters in just the first six months of 2020, causing \[＄\]75 billion loss globally.

3. What natural disaster is the worst?

Every natural disaster causing the loss of both property and human lives is the worst. Be it the earthquake, wildfire or cyclone; each disaster can be the worst in its sense.

4. What are the causes of natural disasters?

Natural disasters are caused by a number of reasons which may or may not be linked to Human interference. Floods, for example, occur generally because of a sudden increase in water level which cannot be supported by the natural geography of the river, however, it has been observed that floods have also occurred due to human interference like encroachment of river banks, illegal sand mining and obstructions in the natural flow of the river. 

5. What are the agencies that deal with natural disasters?

On the National level, Natural disasters are dealt with by the National Disaster Relief Force or the NDRF. The NDRF has its own commissioned force which is highly experienced and trained to deal with situations when a disaster has occurred. Apart from the NDRF, there is also the SDRF which is present in every state. The central and state governments work in coordination during Natural disasters and saving lives along with restoration of normalcy is the primary concern of the relief operations.

6. What are the ways to deal with floods and droughts?

It may sound surprising to some people but India is a unique country where due to its vast geography, we have seen conditions where some parts of the country are facing floods while other parts suffer from drought in the same year. These are especially tough to deal with as the volume of water in floods just cannot be stored and once a region is facing drought, access to water becomes a question of survival. Linking rivers is a very grand scheme which can solve some of our problems but this also needs to be dealt with caution.

7. What can I do to contribute to disaster relief programmes?

The central and state governments carry out various programmes which are directly related to disaster relief work, coordinating with the agencies and donating to these relief operations are some things that we can do as citizens. There are various NGOs that provide relief material to people who are suffering from natural disasters. Creating awareness about such an important issue is also an essential activity. You can learn more about it on Vedantu website and download it in PDF format.

8. Which regions are the most affected by natural disasters in India?

Every part of the country has a unique geographical character and in some way or the other, they face the threat of natural disasters. Bihar and Assam are two such states which face floods on an annual basis, The Himalayan states have a very delicate ecology and save the menace of flash floods and landslides. Maharashtra has a problem of flooding in the Western Ghats while Vidarbha faces drought. Innovative ways must be discovered by states to deal with natural disasters.

Presentations made painless

• Get Premium

103 Natural Disaster Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Natural disasters are events that occur in nature and can cause significant destruction and loss of life. They can take many forms, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and tsunamis. Writing an essay on natural disasters can be a daunting task, but with the right topic and approach, you can create a compelling and informative piece of writing. Here are 103 natural disaster essay topic ideas and examples to help you get started:

• The impact of climate change on natural disasters
• How do natural disasters affect the environment?
• The role of technology in predicting and mitigating natural disasters
• The psychological effects of natural disasters on survivors
• The economic impact of natural disasters on communities
• The social impact of natural disasters on vulnerable populations
• How do natural disasters affect wildlife and ecosystems?
• The role of government in responding to natural disasters
• The importance of disaster preparedness and planning
• The relationship between poverty and vulnerability to natural disasters
• The connection between deforestation and increased risk of natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on global food security
• The role of international aid in responding to natural disasters
• The long-term effects of natural disasters on communities
• The ethics of disaster response and recovery efforts
• The role of media in reporting on natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on mental health
• The connection between natural disasters and climate refugees
• The role of education in preparing communities for natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on infrastructure and development
• The relationship between natural disasters and disease outbreaks
• The connection between natural disasters and conflict
• The role of insurance in mitigating the financial impact of natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on agriculture and food production
• The connection between natural disasters and water scarcity
• The role of NGOs in responding to natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on tourism and the economy
• The relationship between natural disasters and climate justice
• The role of community resilience in recovering from natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on coastal communities
• The connection between natural disasters and mental health stigma
• The role of technology in tracking and monitoring natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on indigenous communities
• The relationship between natural disasters and climate change adaptation
• The role of gender in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on human rights
• The connection between natural disasters and urbanization
• The role of social media in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on education and schools
• The relationship between natural disasters and biodiversity loss
• The role of community-based organizations in responding to natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on clean water access
• The connection between natural disasters and food insecurity
• The role of preparedness drills in communities at risk of natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on children and families
• The relationship between natural disasters and displacement
• The role of volunteer groups in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on cultural heritage sites
• The connection between natural disasters and environmental racism
• The role of early warning systems in predicting natural disasters
• The impact of natural disasters on small businesses and local economies
• The relationship between natural disasters and social inequality
• The role of faith-based organizations in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on mental health access and services
• The connection between natural disasters and climate migration
• The role of community gardens in disaster recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on access to healthcare
• The relationship between natural disasters and food deserts
• The role of cultural competency in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on LGBTQ communities
• The connection between natural disasters and environmental justice
• The role of indigenous knowledge in disaster preparedness and response
• The impact of natural disasters on marginalized communities
• The relationship between natural disasters and gentrification
• The role of intersectionality in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on mental health disparities
• The connection between natural disasters and climate denial
• The role of community centers in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on immigrant communities
• The relationship between natural disasters and housing insecurity
• The role of community art projects in disaster recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on access to public transportation
• The connection between natural disasters and environmental activism
• The role of community health clinics in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on access to clean energy
• The relationship between natural disasters and environmental policy
• The role of community shelters in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on access to affordable housing
• The connection between natural disasters and community organizing
• The role of community colleges in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on access to mental health services
• The relationship between natural disasters and community gardens
• The impact of natural disasters on access to public libraries
• The connection between natural disasters and community resilience
• The role of community-based organizations in disaster response and recovery efforts
• The impact of natural disasters on access to affordable healthcare
• The relationship between natural disasters and community art projects
• The connection between natural disasters and environmental policy
• The relationship between natural disasters and community organizing
• The connection between natural disasters and community gardens
• The relationship between natural disasters and community resilience
• The connection between natural disasters and community art projects

These natural disaster essay topics cover a wide range of issues and perspectives, allowing you to explore different aspects of this important and timely subject. Whether you choose to focus on the environmental impact of natural disasters, the social and economic consequences, or the role of communities in responding and recovering, there are plenty of opportunities to explore and analyze in your essay. By selecting a topic that interests you and conducting thorough research, you can create a compelling and informative essay that sheds light on the complexities of natural disasters and their effects on our world.

Want to create a presentation now?

Instantly Create A Deck

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Hassle Free

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

© 2023 Pitchgrade

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Springer Nature - PMC COVID-19 Collection

Changing opinions on a changing climate: the effects of natural disasters on public perceptions of climate change

Matthew r. sloggy.

1 USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Service, Riverside, CA USA

Jordan F. Suter

2 Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO USA

Mani Rouhi Rad

3 Department of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC USA

Dale T. Manning

Chris goemans.

The frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods are predicted to change as greenhouse gas concentrations increase. These disasters may represent sources of information for individuals as they update their beliefs related to climate change. Using a dataset that includes climate beliefs of respondents, we examine the effect of natural disasters on climate change beliefs and find that hurricanes significantly increase the probability that survey respondents from a given county believe that climate change is occurring and that it is human caused. We find that past experience with certain types of natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes) impacts beliefs regarding whether climate change is occurring and if it is human caused. The research contributes to the literature evaluating climate change attitudes by using spatially disaggregate information on climate change beliefs and exposure to a set of natural disasters over time. Characterizing beliefs and attitudes toward climate change and related policies is important since these beliefs are a determinant of individual adaptation and support for policies related to reducing carbon emissions.

Introduction

Despite the scientific consensus that climate change is occurring and is attributable to anthropogenic causes (Allen et al. 2014 ; Pachauri et al. 2014 ), the population of the USA is far from unanimous in their opinions regarding climate change (Leiserowitz et al. 2015 ). Failing to recognize predicted changes in climate can have economically important consequences if it delays individual adaptation or limits support for public policies to correct market failures that lead to excess emissions. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, the effects of climate change rarely impact the lives of individuals in a salient way and are only observable over long time horizons (Spence et al. 2012 ; Pahl et al. 2014 ). One exception to this is with natural disasters, many of which (e.g., hurricanes (Bender et al. 2010 ), wildfires (Turco et al. 2014 ), and floods (Bronstert 2003 )) are predicted to increase in frequency as a result of climate change. This provides a path through which experience with weather-related events and their frequency may alter individual beliefs about the existence and causes of climate change.

This paper examines how natural disasters affect the percentage of people in a county that believe in, and are concerned about, climate change, as well as attitudes toward specific climate change-related policies. We estimate both the average effect of an additional natural disaster on county-level beliefs, as well as heterogeneous effects based on the historic frequency of the disasters. Importantly, we control for changes in county composition, economic conditions, and political factors that may change with a disaster and over time. To do this, we use results from a set of Yale Climate Communications Project (YCCP) surveys that ask questions related to climate change. We first consider if natural disasters affect opinions about whether climate change is happening. Then, we investigate whether natural disasters affect beliefs about whether climate change is human caused. Finally, we examine if natural disasters affect support for public policies related to climate change, including public research on renewable energy, renewable portfolio standards, and limiting CO 2 emissions from coal-fired power plants. Our study focuses on three types of natural disasters—hurricanes, wildfires, and floods—that are predicted to increase in frequency as a result of climate change (Westerling and Bryant 2008 ; Bender et al. 2010 ; Hirabayashi et al. 2013 ; Mann and Gleick 2015 ).

This research builds on previous studies that have examined how natural disasters impact public opinions or beliefs related to climate change. Owen et al. ( 2012 ) focus on heat waves and droughts, finding that these events increase public support for environmental regulations. Similarly, Spence et al. ( 2011 ) find that direct experience with flooding increases concern related to climate change amongst a sample of individuals in England. Our study builds on this work by covering a broad range of disasters and a comprehensive set of survey questions that allow us to examine effects on policy attitudes and climate change beliefs. A recent study by Maas et al. ( 2020 ) finds no evidence that gradual changes in precipitation and temperature influence farmer’s perceptions about climate change. In contrast to the impacts of gradual changes, our results suggest that hurricanes have statistically significant impacts on climate beliefs and policy attitudes.

Our study contributes to the literature in several important ways. First, whereas most previous work addresses changes in climate opinions at an aggregated state or national level (e.g., Kahn and Kotchen 2011 ), only a few studies measure changes at a more spatially disaggregated level (e.g., Howe et al. 2015 ). We model climate change beliefs at the county level across the USA. The more spatially disaggregated unit of observation that we employ allows us to better capture the heterogeneity in changes in climate beliefs due to extreme weather events using panel-data methods. Although it would be ideal to map exposure to specific natural disasters to individual respondents, using county-level disaster impacts enables us to more accurately attribute natural disasters to the people who experience them compared to a state-level analysis. Studies with aggregated national-level or state-level data can confound the impact of weather events with other spatial- and time-varying characteristics that could drive climate beliefs. We also isolate an experience effect from other channels through which effects could occur, such as news coverage. For example, coastal counties may be less rural than those in the Midwest. Even within a state, urban and rural communities have significant differences in terms of education levels, income, political ideologies, etc. Furthermore, the climate change literature has demonstrated that local adaptation will influence the economic impacts of climate change (Manning et al. 2017 ), likely influencing beliefs about climate change as well.

Finally, our study is relevant to research in behavioral economics that addresses how information is internalized by individuals. We provide evidence that some natural disasters are internalized as information by the individuals that experience them. Past studies have modeled the response of individuals to exogenous information shocks (e.g., Sims 2003 , 2006 ). Recently, Gibson and Mullins ( 2020 ) and Hennighausen and Suter ( 2020 ) show that additional information on flood risk, communicated by additional floods, is internalized into property values. Our study builds on this by using survey results that directly measure beliefs and opinions.

The rest of the paper progresses as follows. In the next section, we provide background related to climate change, extreme events, and opinions and beliefs about environmental change. In Sect.  3 , we describe our dataset. Section  4 discusses our empirical specification and identification strategy. Finally, Sect.  5 presents and discusses our results and Sect.  6 concludes.

The formation of individual beliefs regarding climate change can directly influence public policy. Substantial research has evaluated potential positive and negative feedbacks in the physical environment associated with a changing climate. For example, recent studies (Hurteau et al. 2019 ) investigate the extent to which wildfires increase or decrease the severity of future fires through an environmental feedback. Kettridge et al. ( 2010 ) examine how climate change will affect future cyclone frequency. Previous research also evaluates feedbacks between climate change and human behavior. For example, Davis and Gertler ( 2015 ) evaluate how a warming climate impacts adoption of air conditioning systems and leads to further carbon emissions and future climate impacts.

There is an extensive literature on the linkage between climate change and extreme weather events. Early studies on hurricanes (e.g., Emanuel 1987 ) established a link between the climate and hurricane patterns, and despite later disagreement about the precise impacts (Knutson et al. 2010 ), more recent work has concluded that climate change increases the frequency of high-intensity hurricanes (Sobel et al. 2016 ). Climate change has also been linked to changes in drought frequency (Trenberth et al. 2014 ), as well as an increase in fuel loads responsible for more intense wildfires (Westerling and Bryant 2008 ). These disasters have dramatic economic and ecological consequences. Pielke et al. ( 2008 ) find that between 1900 and 2005, Atlantic hurricanes cost the USA an average of $10 billion annually. As population grows in coastal areas, annual costs will likely increase in the future. Kelly and Goulden ( 2008 ) find that climate change results in observable changes to the spatial distributions of plant species, in part due to increased frequency of drought (Le Houérou 1996 ); however, it is difficult to attribute any one drought event to climate change.

Because of their large, noticeable impacts, several studies have examined the role of natural disasters in changing public opinions on climate change. Examining changes at the national level in the USA, Owen et al. ( 2012 ) show that droughts and heatwaves are correlated with an increase in the probability that individuals support policies that protect the environment. Herrnstadt and Muehlegger ( 2014 ) utilize Google Insights data along with voting records to show that abnormal weather is not only associated with an increase in searches related to climate change, but also shifts in congressional voting. By analyzing Google Trends data, Lang and Ryder ( 2016 ) show an increase in internet searches related to climate change in areas that have recently been impacted by hurricanes. Bloodhart et al. ( 2015 ) examine the role of different information sources in driving perceptions of climate change, focusing on the role of local newscasters. An early study by Diggs ( 1991 ) linked drought experiences to farmer perceptions of climate change in the Great Plains region of the USA. Several subsequent studies examine changes in perceptions following flood events in other locations around the world, including Ethiopia (Deressa et al. 2011 ), England (Dessai and Sims 2010 ), and Australia (Buys et al. 2012 ).

Theory from behavioral economics provides an explanation for how individual events can impact beliefs related to global climatic change through a process known as attribute substitution. With attribute substitution, individuals use simple observable outcomes to inform judgements as a substitute for a broader understanding of complex systems (Kahneman and Frederick 2002 ). For example, Zaval et al. ( 2014 ) show that find that individual responses to beliefs related to climate change are influenced in part by their perception of the relative outdoor temperature on the day that they complete the survey. Attribute substitution is related to the availability heuristic (Tversky and Kahneman 1973 ), wherein individuals put more weight on recent outcomes that are easy to recall for informing their judgements related to the probability of uncertain events. A recent article by Botzen et al. ( 2021 ) posits that experiencing climate change risks impacts concern for climate change through the availability heuristic in much the same way that concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic are influenced by local COVID infection and death rates.

Aside from weather extremes affecting individual perceptions, the literature has shown the importance of economic factors and demographic variables. For example, Kahn and Kotchen ( 2011 ) examine how macroeconomic conditions influence public perception of climate change, finding that states with higher unemployment rates experience reductions in the probability that individuals think climate change is happening, and in support for government action to address climate change. Research by Duijndam and van Beukering ( 2021 ) finds income per capita and unemployment rates to be important determinates of individual climate change beliefs in European countries. Research by Meyer ( 2020 ) finds a similar result for the USA. Additionally, demographics have been shown to have associations with public opinions regarding environmental policies (e.g., Liere and Dunlap 1980 ; Van Der Linden 2015 ; Howe et al. 2015 ). For instance, Van Der Linden ( 2015 ) demonstrates that gender influences beliefs that climate change will put an individual’s livelihood at risk.

To explore the relationship between natural disasters and climate change beliefs, we combine several data sources, including survey data on public opinions regarding climate change, information on natural disasters, and data on county-level economic conditions. In this section, we describe and discuss these data.

Public opinion data

We employ a dataset of modeled public opinions at the county level that is provided by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication (Yale PCCC) ( 2019 ). The modeled data are based on a collection of separate surveys that were conducted between 2014 and 2019 (Yale PCCC, 2019 ). The results for each wave of the survey were aggregated to the county level using multilevel regression techniques with post-stratification by the Yale PCCC (Yale PCCC, 2019 ). The county-level aggregates are validated using several techniques, including comparisons with other surveys. 1 The result is data on public opinions related to climate change for every US county for the years 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019. One validation technique used by Yale PCCC involves comparing the results of the multilevel regression to independent, state-level surveys conducted over the same period, revealing a mean absolute difference of 2.9 percentage points (Yale PCCC, 2019 ).

Our empirical analysis uses results from responses to five survey questions from the Yale PCCC—two questions about climate change beliefs and three policy-specific questions. The two belief questions are whether the respondent believes climate change is happening and whether they believe that climate change is caused by anthropogenic actions. Responses to the former question about whether climate change is occurring are binary, and can be answered with either a yes or a no. For the latter, respondents can indicate whether or not they believe (yes, no) climate change is being caused by anthropogenic actions, with individuals indicating “no” having the option to specify it is not caused by humans because they believe it is not happening. We also consider responses to three policy related questions. A “no” answer to “Is Climate Change Human Caused” includes individuals who believe climate change is happening, but believe it is not caused by human activity. Individuals who do not believe climate change is happening are registered as a “no” response for “Is Climate Change Human Caused.” Table ​ Table1 1 provides summary statistics for county-level averages across time for each of the questions used in the analysis. The specific language for each question can be found in appendix A.1 .

The average percentage of people within a county that answer affirmatively for each of the five questions considered in the study

Note: a We report the standard deviation of the report data.

There are many factors that contribute to changes in beliefs about climate change. Our study period spans the years 2014 to 2019, and in that time, beliefs regarding whether climate change is happening have shifted. In Fig.  1 , we plot the changes in opinion between 2014 and 2019 for two survey questions from the Yale PCCC: (1) Is climate change happening? and (2) Is climate change caused by human activity? Over this time period, the proportion of individuals within a county that believe climate change is happening and that it is human caused, both increased by 1–2 percentage points. However, significant variation in the change occurred with approximately 40.1% of counties reporting a decrease in the belief that climate change is happening and 59.9% of counties experiencing an increase in the belief that climate change is happening.

Distribution of county-level changes between 2014 and 2019 in the proportion of individuals answering affirmatively to two separate survey questions related to climate change beliefs. The dashed line indicates the mean change

Data on natural disasters and demographics

Our analysis includes occurrence data on three different climate change-related natural disasters: hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. We use measures of the annual occurrence of these disasters between 2012 and 2019 as well as the historical period preceding 2012, beginning in 1953. A county is considered treated by a given natural disaster if it occurs in the interval prior to a given wave of the survey. Any disasters that occur before 2012 are counted in the historic frequency. The number of disasters that occur within a county in a treatment period is converted to an annual rate. 2 This is done because the treatment periods are not evenly spaced. Disasters that occur within survey periods are counted in the following treatment period (e.g., hurricanes in 2016 are included in the 2018 treatment period). This is done to avoid a situation in which a natural disaster is counted in a treatment period despite occurring after the survey. The historic frequency is calculated in a similar manner, where the number of natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, floods, or fires) are summed from 1953 through 2012, and then divided by 60, which is the number of years within the historical period. This produces an annual rate of hurricanes, floods, or wildfires within the historical period.

We obtain data on hurricane, wildfires, and flood occurrence through the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s (FEMA’s) disaster and emergency database, which is in the public domain. 3 The dataset compiles emergency and disaster declarations from 1953 to the present day at the county level (FEMA 2019 ). The resolution of the data is particularly useful for our analysis because its spatial scale matches that of our survey variables.

Summary statistics for the natural disaster events can be found in Table ​ Table2. 2 . The statistics reveal that a county in the USA experiences approximately 0.08 hurricanes per year. Flooding events occur within a county on average about 0.1 times per year, and large fire events occur on average 0.03 times per year. Note that in Table ​ Table2, 2 , all the historic natural disaster rates are lower than the more recently reported numbers. This suggests that, on average, the frequency of these events has increased.

Summary statistics

Note: The rate variables correspond to the average proportion of counties that experience a natural disaster (e.g. flood, fire) per year. Standard deviations for each variable are reported in parentheses below

Natural disasters may cause demographic changes that drive county-level changes in opinions about climate change. Hurricanes and wildfires have specifically been found to cause demographic changes (Schultz and Elliott 2013 ). To isolate the impact of disasters on changes in beliefs and not on the composition of a county, we include county-level annual population from the National Institute of Health’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) (NIH, 2019 ). Severe natural disasters may result in people leaving the affected area, and so including percent changes in population in our analysis helps control for changes in beliefs driven by changes in which people are present. Population and economic variables are averaged across a treatment period.

One way in which a natural disaster may impact beliefs is by first affecting economic factors that then indirectly change beliefs. Previous work (e.g., Kahn and Kotchen 2011 ) has shown that economic factors such as the unemployment rate influence beliefs in climate change. In order to isolate the direct effects of natural disasters on beliefs, we control for several major economic factors (Kahn and Kotchen 2011 ). Specifically, we obtain data on per capita income and unemployment at the county level. The median household income data are from the Census Bureau (Census Bureau, 2019a ) and the unemployment rate data come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 ). Table ​ Table2 2 also reports summary statistics for the population and economic variables and shows that counties had an average unemployment rate of 5.49% and an average median household income of $48,000 (2016 USD) over the study period. In addition to economic and demographic variables, political ideology may also influence opinions related to climate change (Dunlap et al. 2016 ). We incorporate the 2016 county level vote share for democratic candidate Hillary Clinton from the MIT Election Dataset (MIT Election Data and Sciences 2020 ).

Empirical model

To test the impact of natural disasters on climate change beliefs and policy attitudes, we estimate a linear econometric model that includes both county and state-year fixed effects (Woolridge 2010 ). We include all three natural disasters in a single regression, as opposed to running separate regressions for each disaster. Our linear model specification is similar to other studies (e.g., Kahn and Kotchen 2011 ).

To test our hypotheses, we implement two empirical specifications. First, we estimate the average effect of natural disasters on climate opinions. To accomplish this, we specify the model as

where p it is the percentage of county i that responded in the affirmative in year t to one of the five survey questions we consider in this study. The term X i t { d } measures the annual number of disaster type d experienced in county i per year during the 2-year period preceding year t (with the exception of the period preceding 2019, which includes only one year). The coefficients of β 1 { d } contain the average effects of natural disaster d on the response to the survey question of interest. Percent change in population and economic changes within a county are controlled for with a vector of population and economic variables for each county and time period, C it , where δ is the vector of coefficients for C it . In addition, C it contains a Clinton vote share trend. Because our political variable does not vary through time, we interact it with a linear time trend. This controls for the fact that conservative and liberal counties may have different trends in climate beliefs. It is important to note that the un-interacted trend, as well as the urban–rural classification of a county, is included within the fixed effect. Therefore, the interpretation of the interaction is the differential trend as a function of the Clinton vote share.

Our models are identified if the occurrence of a natural disaster is not correlated with the error term. This includes any county-level unobservables, such as static political factors, geographic features, and other characteristics, which are difficult to capture in a national-scale study such as this. Since these unobservables may be trending over time, just as natural disasters are, we must control for them. To control for these unobserved factors, we include county ( μ i ) and state-year fixed effects ( γ st ) . The latter control for regional political shifts as well as historical adaptation to natural disasters at the state level. The error term is ε it . We cluster our standard errors at the county level. As an exploration of the mechanisms behind our analysis and as a robustness check, we also report a model without time-varying controls in Appendix section A.1 . The results from this model reveal qualitatively similar marginal effects of natural disasters compared to the primary specification that includes the control variables.

Our second model tests whether the effect of natural disasters is moderated by a county’s historical experience with the natural disasters. To test for this heterogeneity, we specify the model as

We interact the rate that county i experienced a natural disaster with the historical annual rate of natural disasters, H id for each county and disaster type. The marginal effect of a natural disaster on county-level public opinion in Eq. 2 is given by β 1 + β 2 H id where H id is the historic rate of a given natural disaster for a given county. Our hypothesis is that β 1 is positive, while β 2 is negative, leading to a smaller marginal effect when a disaster historically has been common in a county. This hypothesis is based on whether individuals who experience more natural disasters in their county may not think an additional natural disaster is unusual; however, an individual who experiences a natural disaster in a county with historically few may interpret it as an information that the climate is changing.

Because the county-level data are modeled from survey responses, there is potential for measurement error biasing our model results. Sparsely populated counties may not have any survey responses to use, and in the data that we use for empirical modeling their levels are estimated entirely by out-of-county survey responses by the Yale PCCC. As more survey responses are added to the database, the quality of the model improves. However, this still represents a potential source of bias if there are more survey responses in urban counties compared to rural counties. Our inclusion of county-fixed effects controls for factors such as rural classification that might impact the probability of being sampled. The state-year fixed effects control for the fact that counties without sufficient responses are modeled using in-state survey responses from that year (Yale PCCC, 2019 ). Coefficient values from this model can be found in Appendix section A.3 .

In this section, we report the results of each specification with respect to the five climate change-related questions described above. Overall, we find evidence that hurricanes impact public opinions on climate change. We find no evidence that, conditional on hurricanes, floods have an impact, and evidence that fires have impacts in very limited cases. Furthermore, we find that heterogeneity in the rate of natural disasters in the historic period matters for hurricanes and for fires. In what follows, we present the results of both specifications (Eqs.  1 and 2 ) in their own subsection.

Average effects model

We begin by addressing the average effects model (Eq.  1 ) which reveals the effect that hurricanes, fires, and floods have on beliefs and policy attitudes regarding climate change. Table ​ Table3 3 demonstrates that of the three natural disasters, only hurricanes have statistically significant average effects. We find no evidence that either fires or floods change the proportion of a county that believes in climate change on average.

Average effects of extreme events on climate beliefs and policy support

* p  < 0.1; ** p  < 0.05; *** p  < 0.01

Hurricanes have a statistically significant effect on several survey questions we consider. We see that the average effect of a hurricane on the percentage of individuals in a county that believe climate change is happening is about 0.252. That means, on average, the occurrence of a hurricane increases the number of people who believe climate change is happening by 0.252 percentage points. It has a slightly higher impact on the proportion of people within a county that believe climate change is human caused (0.199 percentage points); however, the impact on the proportion that believe climate change is caused by human activity is statistically insignificant.

Hurricanes also have statistically significant impacts on the percent of a county that supports funding research into renewable energy (0.174 percentage points), supporting renewable portfolio standards (0.231 percentage points) and setting limits on CO 2 emissions (0.300 percentage points).

The results also reveal that percent change in population, median household income, and the unemployment rate are associated with climate change beliefs. We find that a 1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate is associated with a 0.152 percentage point decline in the number of people who believe climate change is happening. Interestingly, this is close to the magnitude as the impact of a hurricane. Previous studies (e.g., Kahn and Kotchen 2011 ) found that a 1 percentage point increase in unemployment decreases the likelihood an individual believes climate change is happening by 3.3 percentage points, which is an order of magnitude larger than the effect we observe. This difference could occur because our analysis uses more recent data, and so, opinions may have solidified to a greater extent. It may also be due to the higher resolution spatial controls (e.g., county-fixed effects as opposed to state fixed effects) that we use.

We do not detect an effect of the percent change in population for all but one of the questions we consider. We find that a 1% increase in population increases the proportion of individuals that support CO 2 limits by 0.008 percentage points. Median household incomes have small but positive correlated with climate change beliefs and support for limits on CO 2 emissions. Interestingly, income has a negative correlation with support for funding renewable energy research. This could occur if higher income respondents expect to pay a larger share of the funding for renewable energy research. Our results also support previous research that finds a strong connection between political ideology and beliefs regarding climate change. In counties with a higher Clinton vote share, beliefs related to climate change and support for associated policy actions are increasing at a faster rate over time.

As a robustness check, we also estimate the average effects model for each natural disaster separately. We do not find that excluding all but one natural disaster from our models makes a substantial difference with respect to the magnitudes of our coefficients, or with respect to our qualitative results. These results can be found in Appendix section A.4 . In addition, we recognize that the results may be influenced by the selection of a 2-year treatment window for the 2014, 2016, and 2018 surveys. To investigate whether this is the case, we run the average effects model with a 1-year treatment window instead. We find that the magnitudes of the effects of hurricanes diminish slightly, but that our qualitative results remain the same. These results can be found in Appendix section A.5 .

Heterogeneous effects model

We are also interested in the heterogeneity in impacts as a function of the historic frequency of each event. The full table of regression results is presented in Appendix Table ​ Table5 5 of the appendix, and we use the regression results to generate Fig.  2 . The x-axis of Fig.  2 is scaled so that it includes both the mean and 3 rd quartile of historic frequencies for each disaster. The effect of a hurricane is estimated to increase with the historic rate of hurricanes (see Fig.  2 Panel A). This implies that counties that have a history of hurricanes experience a larger impact than those that do not, although it does not appear that the marginal effects in the lowest and highest frequency counties are significantly different. This could be because counties with a history of hurricanes have more to lose from an increase in their frequency. A relationship between the beliefs and economic damages may therefore be driving this result. Alternatively, coastal counties with a history of hurricanes may have experienced recent storms with higher degrees of storm severity or are impacted more by the accumulation of hurricane events over time. Investigating the role of economic damages and storm severity would be an interesting area for future research (Davenport et al. 2021 ).

The effect of hurricanes (Panel A ), fire, (Panel B ), and floods (Panel C ) on the proportion of a county that believes climate change is happening as a function of historic fire frequency. Intervals around the point estimate represent a 90% confidence interval

The heterogeneous impact of climate-related natural disasters on benefits and policy attitudes as a function of historic disaster frequency

Conditional on our controls and fixed effects, we find that fire does not have a statistically significant effect. However, at high levels of historic frequency, flooding may actually have a negative effect on the proportion of individuals within a county that believe that climate change is happening, as demonstrated in Fig.  2 , Panel C.

The effect may also be different for storms of different magnitudes. However, including magnitudes in the model may result in endogeneity concerns. We test whether there is an effect of magnitudes—measured both in terms of lives lost and property damages—in Appendix section A.6 . These results suggest that the magnitudes of specific natural disasters may influence the extent to which the disasters change climate change beliefs.

This paper addresses the impacts of natural disasters on public beliefs regarding several climate change-related issues and policies. Using a panel dataset of county-level public opinions on climate change, we identify the impact of hurricanes, floods, and wildfires on climate change beliefs and policy attitudes. Our results show that hurricanes have a statistically significant average effect on beliefs. When considering heterogeneity, the impact of hurricanes becomes larger when the historic hurricane frequency is higher.

We also revisit observations in the literature with respect to how macroeconomic variables influence opinions. A previous study (Kahn and Kotchen 2011 ) reports that the percent of a state’s population that believes climate change is happening changes by 3.3% for every 1% drop in unemployment. Our analysis finds this effect to be smaller by an order of magnitude. While Kahn and Kotchen ( 2011 ) use state-level unemployment rates (as well as state-level fixed effects), we employ county-level unemployment rates, county-level fixed effects, and state-year fixed effects. Therefore, we account for additional spatial heterogeneity that may be correlated with the state-level unemployment rate. We also reinforce results in the literature that political beliefs have strong effects on opinions regarding climate change and associated policy policies.

The findings of our analysis have important implications for policy regarding climate change. We detect statistically significant impacts of hurricanes on the proportion of a county that believes climate change is happening and that it is human caused. We also estimate an increase in support for government regulation of CO 2 . This provides evidence of a process in which climate beliefs and policies can respond as the consequences of climate change become apparent.

The fact that we find statistically significant impacts of natural disasters on public opinions reveals that these events are a source of information that can change prior beliefs at the county level. Furthermore, the effects of natural disasters on opinions regarding CO 2 regulation indicate that as these events become more frequent, the number of individuals who are willing to use government as a tool to effect long-term change is likely to increase. The pace at which this feedback occurs, however, appears to be slow. For example, our results indicate that it would take multiple hurricanes hitting a county to increase the proportion of individuals supporting policies that greenhouse gas emissions by one percentage point. As such, it seems unlikely that natural disasters alone will cause sufficient changes in public opinions to bring about widespread acceptance of climate change regulations.

There are several reasons why changes in climate change beliefs following a natural disaster could be a slow process. For instance, individuals may have access to a wide range of information sources that could make the signal noisy (Feldman et al. 2012 ). The top priority following a natural disaster for those affected is safety, followed by other necessities. The most immediate actions required to combat the disaster take precedent, both for individuals and governments, over long-term concerns such as climate change.

There are several additional research questions that arise from this study. The incidence of the natural disasters that we study often requires government assistance. The effects of government programs on public opinions may influence confidence in other policies such as CO 2 regulation. There is also room to address the importance of a disaster’s economic impact in influencing beliefs and attitudes.

Additional studies could examine how disasters impact communities of different political attitudes and economic profiles. For instance, an examination of how heterogenous political attitudes affect a county’s response to natural disasters. There may be several mechanisms that influence how political opinions shape individual responses to new information, including ideological stances on government intervention as well as climate change itself. Another area of future research could utilize data such as the hurricane rating system in order to establish whether hurricanes of greater intensity have greater impacts on opinions and preferences.

There are many determinants which contribute to the formation of beliefs, especially those opinions which inform voting behavior and political support. Focusing on climate change, we show that natural disasters, particularly hurricanes, are a determinant of public opinions regarding the issue. We show that not only do hurricanes influence the proportion of people who believe climate change is happening and is caused by human activity, but that they also change the proportion that supports regulating CO 2 emissions.

Appendix 1 Survey questions

What follows are reproductions of the text used in the Yale Climate Opinions survey question used in this study (Yale PCCC, 2019 ).

Question 1:

Global warming is happening.

Recently, you may have noticed that global warming has been getting some attention in the news. Global warming refers to the idea that the world’s average temperature has been increasing over the past 150 years, may be increasing more in the future, and that the world’s climate may change as a result. What do you think: Do you think that global warming is happening?

• Do not know

Question 2:

Global warming is caused mostly by human activities.

Assuming global warming is happening, do you think it is… ?

• Caused mostly by human activities
• Caused mostly by natural changes in the environment
• None of the above because global warming is not happening

Question 3:

Fund research into renewable energy sources, how much do you support or oppose the following policies.

Fund more research into renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.

• Strongly support
• Somewhat support
• Somewhat oppose
• Strongly oppose

Question 4:

Require utilities to produce 20% electricity from renewable sources.

Require electric utilities to produce at least 20% of their electricity from wind, solar, or other renewable energy sources, even if it costs the average household an extra $100 a year.

Question 5:

Set strict co 2 limits on existing coal-fired power plants, how much do you support or oppose the following policy.

Set strict carbon dioxide emission limits on existing coal-fired power plants to reduce global warming and improve public health. Power plants would have to reduce their emissions and/or invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The cost of electricity to consumers and companies would likely increase.

Appendix 2 Excluding controls

As a robustness check, we report a model that excludes time-varying controls, and only includes fixed effects. Natural disasters may have secondary impacts on climate opinions through population and economic variables. For instance, if a natural disaster changes the population level within a county, and the population level itself affects climate opinions, then the natural disaster will have a secondary impact through changes in the population level. If this effect is substantial, then a model that includes these population variables will underreport the full effect of natural disasters.

In order to investigate whether these secondary effects are substantial, we estimate the average effects model while excluding total population, median income, and the unemployment rate. The results are reported in Table ​ Table4 4 .

Average effects model, excluding time-varying controls

* p  < 0.1;** p  < 0.05; *** p  < 0.01

We observe a small difference between the results in Table ​ Table4 4 and those found in Table ​ Table3 3 of the main text. For each survey question, we find that the effect of hurricanes is larger with the exclusion of the population, economic, and political control variables. This indicates that the indirect effects from one or more of these three variables may partially reinforce the direct effect of hurricanes on opinions. We also find that hurricanes now have a statistically significant effect on whether individuals believe climate change is caused by human activity.

Appendix 3 Regression results for heterogeneity model

Below we present the regression results for Eq.  2 . These are used to create Fig.  2 in the main text (Table ​ (Table5 5 ).

Appendix 4 Single disaster models

In this section, we report three tables in which we examine one natural disaster at a time. First, we examine hurricanes without including fires or floods (Table ​ (Table6 6 ).

Average effects model, only considering hurricane

Next, we examine a model where we consider only fires, without considering hurricanes or floods (Table ​ (Table7 7 ).

Average effects model only considering fires

Our third model considers only floods without considering hurricanes or fires (Table ​ (Table8 8 ).

Average effects model only considering floods

* p  < 0.1;** p  < 0.05;*** p  < 0.01

The differences we detect are not significantly different from the results found in the main specifications of the paper.

Appendix 5 Change in treatment period

The effects of natural disasters may diminish with time. To test whether our use of a 2-year treatment period is diminishing the impact of natural disasters, we run a version of our average effects model where we use a treatment period of a single year. We change the treatment period to within a year before the survey, excluding disasters that occur between surveys more than a year prior to a given survey. Though we find that the coefficients are different, we do not find evidence that the difference in magnitude is substantial. In fact, we find that the effect diminishes rather than increases (Table ​ (Table9 9 ).

Average effects model with a treatment period that only considers natural disasters in prior year

Appendix 6 The effects of disaster magnitudes on climate opinions

In our manuscript, we include variables indicating whether a particular kind of natural disaster occurred in a county in each treatment period. One concern with this approach is that it does not consider the magnitude of the natural disasters in question. We choose to not include magnitudes in our main specification because of issues of endogeneity. We are concerned that preferences for policies and the magnitude of damages from a given disaster may be influenced by county level unobservables related to the population density, as well as the quantity of built structures within a county within a given period and previous adaptation expenditures that likely influence the overall impact of a natural disaster. Alleviating this endogeneity issue is beyond the scope of this paper; however, we provide some results below that investigate the extent to which disaster magnitudes impact opinions.

One might hypothesize that there is a difference in the effect of natural disasters depending on the degree of impact. To test this hypothesis, we use the NOAA storm events database (NOAA 2021 ), which contains a record of disaster events between 1950 and 2018. Included in this record are measures of the financial impact of each event. The measure of impact we select is property damage, which is reported in $1,000 s of dollars. This allows us to have a measure of damage that is consistent across the three types of natural disasters that we evaluate. We report some abbreviated summary stats for the NOAA disaster data in Table ​ Table10. 10 . On average, there are more reports of floods in the dataset than other types of disasters, and these also have the largest expected lives lost, followed by hurricanes. Hurricanes, on the other hand, result in more property damage on average.

Description of damage data from NOAA

We specify the average effects model to account for heterogeneity across storms related to the magnitude of impact.

In Eq.  3 , we interact the magnitude of a given disaster with the occurrence of that disaster. This accomplishes two things. First, it allows us to scale the effect of the natural disaster by the magnitude of the impact. Second, it allows us to include disasters for which the impact magnitudes are not reported. An issue with the NOAA dataset, as well as other datasets such as EM-DAT (CRED 2021 ), is that the magnitudes of the impacts are sometimes reported as zero, where it is impossible to tell whether the actual number is zero or whether the number was not reported. The results of estimating Equation A.1. are reported in Table ​ Table11 11 for damages measured in terms of lives lost. We also measure damages in terms of property damage, the results of which are found in Table ​ Table12 12 .

The effect of natural disaste damanges, measured in terms of lives lost, on the average

Incorporating property damage into the average effect regression

Our results suggest that for hurricanes, their impact on climate change beliefs and support for policy increases as the number of lives lost increases. We see that for fire and floods, this effect is reversed. However, as mentioned above, there may be endogeneity concerns related to using the number of lives lost as an explanatory variable. In addition, the numbers of lives lost reported in the NOAA data are relatively small and do not vary much. We conduct an additional regression where instead of using lives lost, we use a measurement of property damage. The results of this estimation can be found in Table ​ Table12 12

From Table ​ Table12, 12 , we see that the effect of hurricanes on all opinions and policy preferences remains positive and statistically significant at 1% level. Interestingly, for most survey questions, the more damage a hurricane causes, the smaller the impact it has on opinions. This is likely due to endogeneity issues related to hurricanes occurring in coastal zones with lots of structures. Though the effects of fires on opinions are not statistically significant, as fires become more damaging, the effect becomes stronger on opinions regarding whether climate change is caused by human activity. We detect a mixed impact of floods on opinions and policy preferences when including property damage. Though we detect that floods have a negative impact, this is offset by the impact of flood damages on opinions, so that the effect of floods on the outcome variable on average is not different from zero (Table ​ (Table3 3 manuscript). As floods become more damaging, the effect on opinions becomes more positive. This result holds across all five questions considered in this study.

In general, we detect that the magnitudes of natural disasters, measured in terms of lives lost and property damages, impact how natural disasters influence climate change beliefs and policy support. However, we caution that the results may be biased due to endogeneity concerns, which are not addressed in this analysis but is an exciting area of future study.

1 Additional details about the methodology used to aggregate the survey results to the county level can be found here: http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us-2018/?est=happening&type=value&geo=county

2 The treatment period for 2019 is 2018, the treatment period for 2018 is 2017 and 2016, the treatment period for 2016 is 2015 and 2014, and the treatment period for 2014 is 2013 and 2012. As an additional control for the fact our observations are not evenly spaced, our empirical specification features time controls in the form of year fixed effects.

https://www.fema.gov/data-feeds

The original online version of this article was revised: the title was updated.

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Change history

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10584-022-03441-9

• Allen MR, Barros VR, Broome J, Cramer W, Christ R, Church JA, Clarke L, et al. IPCC fifth assessment synthesis report-climate change 2014 synthesis report. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Geneva, Switzerland; 2014. [ Google Scholar ]
• Bender MA, Knutson TR, Tuleya RE, Sirutis JJ, Vecchi GA, Garner ST, Held IM. Modeled impact of anthropogenic warming on the frequency of intense Atlantic hurricanes. Science. 2010; 327 (5964):454–458. doi: 10.1126/science.1180568. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Bloodhart B, Maibach E, Myers T, Zhao X. Local climate experts: the influence of local TV weather information on climate change perceptions. PloS one. 2015; 10 (11):e0141526. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141526. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Botzen W, Duijndam S, van Beukering P. Lessons for climate policy from behavioral biases towards COVID-19 and climate change risks. World Development. 2021; 137 :105214. doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105214. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Bronstert A. Floods and climate change: interactions and impacts. Risk Analysis: an International Journal. 2003; 23 (3):545–557. doi: 10.1111/1539-6924.00335. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019) Local area unemployment statistics.  https://www.bls.gov/lau/#tables . Accessed Feb 2020
• Buys L, Miller E, van Megen K. Conceptualising climate change in rural Australia: community perceptions, attitudes and (in) actions. Reg Environ Change. 2012; 12 (1):237–248. doi: 10.1007/s10113-011-0253-6. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Census Bureau (2019a) Household Income: https://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/income/data/tables.html . Accessed Feb 2020
• Census Bureau (2019b) County Population by Characteristics 2010-2019: https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-counties-detail.html#par_textimage_1383669527 . Accessed Feb 2020 
• CRED. Accessed August 2021. The International Disaster Database. http://www.emdat.be/database
• Davenport FV, Burke M, Diffenbaugh NS (2021) Contribution of historical precipitation change to US flood damages. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118(4) [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ]
• Davis LW, Gertler PJ. Contribution of air conditioning adoption to future energy use under global warming. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2015; 112 (19):5962–5967. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1423558112. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Deressa TT, Hassan RM, Ringler C. Perception of and adaptation to climate change by farmers in the Nile basin of Ethiopia. J Agric Sci. 2011; 149 (1):23–31. doi: 10.1017/S0021859610000687. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Dessai S, Sims C. Public perception of drought and climate change in southeast England. Environ Hazards. 2010; 9 (4):340–357. doi: 10.3763/ehaz.2010.0037. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Diggs DM (1991) Drought experience and perception of climatic change among Great Plains farmers. Great Plains Research 114–132
• Duijndam S, van Beukering P. Understanding public concern about climate change in Europe, 2008–2017: the influence of economic factors and right-wing populism. Climate Policy. 2021; 21 (3):353–367. doi: 10.1080/14693062.2020.1831431. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Dunlap RE, McCright AM, Yarosh JH. The political divide on climate change: Partisan polarization widens in the US. Environ Sci Policy Sustain Dev. 2016; 58 (5):4–23. doi: 10.1080/00139157.2016.1208995. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Emanuel KA. The dependence of hurricane intensity on climate. Nature. 1987; 326 (6112):483. doi: 10.1038/326483a0. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) (2019)  https://www.fema.gov/data-feeds . Accessed Feb 2020
• Feldman L, Maibach EW, Roser-Renouf C, Leiserowitz A. Climate on cable: the nature and impact of global warming coverage on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. Int J Press Polit. 2012; 17 (1):3–31. doi: 10.1177/1940161211425410. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Gibson M, Mullins JT. Climate risk and beliefs in new york floodplains. J Assoc Environ Resour Econ. 2020; 7 (6):1069–1111. [ Google Scholar ]
• Hennighausen H, Suter JF. Flood risk perception in the housing market and the impact of a major flood event. Land Econ. 2020; 96 (3):366–383. doi: 10.3368/le.96.3.366. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Herrnstadt E, Muehlegger E. Weather, salience of climate change and congressional voting. J Environ Econ Manag. 2014; 68 (3):435–448. doi: 10.1016/j.jeem.2014.08.002. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Hirabayashi Y, Mahendran R, Koirala S, Konoshima L, Yamazaki D, Watanabe S, Kanae S. Global flood risk under climate change. Nat Clim Chang. 2013; 3 (9):816. doi: 10.1038/nclimate1911. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Howe PD, Mildenberger M, Marlon JR, Leiserowitz A. Geographic variation in opinions on climate change at state and local scales in the USA. Nat Clim Chang. 2015; 5 (6):596. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2583. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Hurteau MD, Liang S, Westerling AL, Wiedinmyer C (2019) Vegetation-fire feedback reduces projected area burned under climate change. Sci Rep 9(1):1–6 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ]
• Kahn ME, Kotchen MJ. Business cycle effects on concern about climate change: the chilling effect of recession. Clim Change Econ. 2011; 2 (03):257–273. doi: 10.1142/S2010007811000292. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kahneman D, Frederick S. Representativeness revisited: attribute substitution in intuitive judgment. Heuristics and Biases: the Psychology of Intuitive Judgment. 2002; 49 :81. [ Google Scholar ]
• Kelly AE, Goulden ML. Rapid shifts in plant distribution with recent climate change. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2008; 105 (33):11823–11826. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0802891105. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kettridge N, Lukenbach MC, Hokanson KJ, Devito KJ, Petrone RM, Mendoza CA, Knutson TR, McBride JL, Chan J, Emanuel K, Holland G, Landsea C, Held I, Kossin JP, Srivastava AK, Sugi M. Tropical cyclones and climate change. Nat Geosci. 2010; 3 (3):157. doi: 10.1038/ngeo779. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Knutson TR, McBride JL, Chan J, Emanuel K, Holland G, Landsea C, ..., Sugi M (2010) Tropical cyclones and climate change. Nature geoscience 3(3): 157-163
• Lang C, Ryder JD. The effect of tropical cyclones on climate change engagement. Clim Change. 2016; 135 (3):625–638. doi: 10.1007/s10584-015-1590-0. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Le Houérou HN. Climate change, drought and desertification. J Arid Environ. 1996; 34 (2):133–185. doi: 10.1006/jare.1996.0099. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Leiserowitz A, Maibach E, Roser-Renouf C, Feinberg G, Rosenthal S (2015) Climate change in the American mind: March, 2015. Yale Project on Climate Change Communication (Yale University and George Mason University, New Haven, CT)
• Liere KDV, Dunlap RE. The social bases of environmental concern: a review of hypotheses, explanations and empirical evidence. Public Opin Q. 1980; 44 (2):181–197. doi: 10.1086/268583. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Maas A, Wardropper C, Roesch-McNally G, Abatzoglou J. A (mis) alignment of farmer experience and perceptions of climate change in the US inland Pacific Northwest. Clim Change. 2020; 162 (3):1011–1029. doi: 10.1007/s10584-020-02713-6. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Mann ME, Gleick PH. Climate change and California drought in the 21st century. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2015; 112 (13):3858–3859. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1503667112. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Manning DT, Goemans C, Maas A. Producer responses to surface water availability and implications for climate change adaptation. Land Econ. 2017; 93 (4):631–653. doi: 10.3368/le.93.4.631. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Meyer A (2020) Do economic conditions affect climate change beliefs? Evidence from the US in the wake of the great recession. Evidence from the US in the Wake of the Great Recession
• MIT Election Data and Sciences. 2020. U.S. President 1976–2020. Accessed June 2020. https://dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=doi:10.7910/DVN/42MVDX
• National Institute of Health (NIH) (2019) Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program population data.  https://seer.cancer.gov/popdata/ . Accessed June 2020
• National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) (2019) Storm events database.  https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/ . Accessed Aug 2021
• Owen AL, Conover E, Videras J, Wu S. Heat waves, droughts, and preferences for environmental policy. J Policy Anal Manage. 2012; 31 (3):556–577. doi: 10.1002/pam.21599. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Pachauri RK, Allen MR, Barros VR, Broome J, Cramer W, Christ R, ..., Dubash NK (2014) Climate change 2014: synthesis report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (p. 151). Ipcc
• Pahl S, Sheppard S, Boomsma C, Groves C. Perceptions of time in relation to climate change. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change. 2014; 5 (3):375–388. [ Google Scholar ]
• Pielke RA, Jr, Gratz J, Landsea CW, Collins D, Saunders MA, Musulin R. Normalized hurricane damage in the United States: 1900–2005. Nat Hazard Rev. 2008; 9 (1):29–42. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2008)9:1(29). [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Schultz J, Elliott JR. Natural disasters and local demographic change in the United States. Popul Environ. 2013; 34 (3):293–312. doi: 10.1007/s11111-012-0171-7. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Sims CA. Implications of rational inattention. J Monet Econ. 2003; 50 (3):665–690. doi: 10.1016/S0304-3932(03)00029-1. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Sims CA. Rational inattention: Beyond the linear-quadratic case. American Economic Review. 2006; 96 (2):158–163. doi: 10.1257/000282806777212431. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Sobel AH, Camargo SJ, Hall TM, Lee CY, Tippett MK, Wing AA. Human influence on tropical cyclone intensity. Science. 2016; 353 (6296):242–246. doi: 10.1126/science.aaf6574. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Spence A, Poortinga W, Pidgeon N. The psychological distance of climate change. Risk Analysis: an International Journal. 2012; 32 (6):957–972. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01695.x. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Spence A, Poortinga W, Butler C, Pidgeon NF. Perceptions of climate change and willingness to save energy related to flood experience. Nat Clim Chang. 2011; 1 (1):46–49. doi: 10.1038/nclimate1059. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Trenberth KE, Dai A, Van Der Schrier G, Jones PD, Barichivich J, Briffa KR, Sheffield J. Global warming and changes in drought. Nat Clim Chang. 2014; 4 (1):17. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2067. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Turco M, Llasat MC, von Hardenberg J, Provenzale A. Climate change impacts on wildfires in a Mediterranean environment. Clim Change. 2014; 125 (3–4):369–380. doi: 10.1007/s10584-014-1183-3. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Tversky A, Kahneman D. Availability: A heuristic for judging frequency and probability. Cogn Psychol. 1973; 5 (2):207–232. doi: 10.1016/0010-0285(73)90033-9. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Van der Linden S. The social-psychological determinants of climate change risk perceptions: Towards a comprehensive model. J Environ Psychol. 2015; 41 :112–124. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.11.012. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Westerling AL, Bryant BP. Climate change and wildfire in California. Clim Change. 2008; 87 (1):231–249. doi: 10.1007/s10584-007-9363-z. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Woolridge JM (2010) Econometric analysis of cross section and panel data. MIT press
• Yale Project on Climate Chance Communication (Yale PCCC) (2019) Climate change opinion maps. http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us-2018/. Accessed June 2020
• Zaval L, Keenan EA, Johnson EJ, Weber EU. How warm days increase belief in global warming. Nat Clim Chang. 2014; 4 (2):143–147. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2093. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

Geography Notes

Essay on natural disasters: top 12 essays | geography.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Natural Disasters’ for class 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Natural Disasters’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Natural Disasters

Essay Contents:

• Essay on the Initiatives Taken by the Government

Essay on Natural Disaster # 1. Introduction:

The definition of natural disasters is any catastrophic event that is caused by nature or the natural processes of the earth. The severity of a disaster is measured in lives lost, economic loss, and the ability of the population to rebuild. Events that occur in unpopulated areas are not considered disasters. So a flood on an uninhabited island would not count as a disaster, but a flood in a populated area is called a natural disaster.

All natural disasters cause loss in some way. Depending on the severity, lives can be lost in any number of disasters. Falling buildings or trees, freezing to death, being washed away, or heat stroke are just some of the deadly effects. Some disasters cause more loss of life than others, and population density affects the death count as well.

Hence, there is loss of property, which affects people’s living quarters, transportation, livelihood, and means to live. Fields saturated in salt water after tsunamis take years to grow crops again. Homes destroyed by floods, hurricanes, cyclones, landslides and avalanches, a volcanic eruption, or an earthquake are often beyond repair or take a lot of time to become livable again. Personal effects, memorabilia, vehicles, and documents also take a hit after many natural disasters.

The natural disasters that really affect people worldwide tend to become more intense as the years go on. Frequency of earthquakes, mega storms, and heat waves has gone up considerably in the last few decades. Heavy population in areas that get hit by floods, cyclones, and hurricanes has meant that more lives are lost.

In some areas, the population has gotten somewhat prepared for the eventuality of disasters and shelters are built for hurricanes and tornadoes. However, loss of property is still a problem, and predicting many natural disasters isn’t easy.

Scientists, geologists, and storm watchers work hard to predict major disasters and avert as much damage as possible. With all the technology available, it’s become easier to predict major storms, blizzards, cyclones, and other weather related natural disasters. But there arestill natural disasters that come up rather unexpectedly, such as earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, or even volcanic eruptions.

Sometimes, a time of warning is there, but it’s often very short with catastrophic results. Areas that are not used to disasters affected by flash floods or sudden hail storms can be affected in an extreme way. However, despite the many natural disasters the world over, mankind has shown amazing resilience.

When an area or country is badly affected by a natural disaster, the reaction is always one of solidarity and aid is quick to come. There are organizations set up with the primary goal of being prepared for natural disasters. These groups work on global and local scale rescue work. Aside from those who have chosen to make disaster relief their life-work, when disasters hit, it’s the individuals who step in who help to make a difference.

Many people talk about when a disaster has hit and their neighbours and countrymen have come to aid, often to their own loss. People will step in and donate items, time, and skills in order to help those affected by a natural disaster. Celebrities will often do what they can to raise money through concerts, phone marathons, and visiting affected areas with aid.

People have also shown that they can rebuild, lives can be remade or start over. Trauma is a big after effect of natural disasters and getting counseling has been the focus of aid-to heal emotionally as well as physically. It’s clear that natural disasters are a part of life as we know it. However, science is making it more possible to predict, aid is faster at coming, and people are learning how to rebuild in safer areas.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 2. Earthquake :

India is having a high risk towards earthquakes. More than 58 per cent of India’s land area is under threat of moderate to severe seismic hazard. During the last 20 years, India has experienced 10 major earthquakes that have resulted in more than 35,000 deaths. The most vulnerable areas, according to the present seismic zone map of India include the Himalayan and Sub-Himalayan regions, Kutch and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Depending on varying degrees of seismicity, the entire country can be divided into the following seismic regions: Of the earthquake-prone areas, 12% is proneto very severe earthquakes, 18% to severe earthquakes and 25% to damageable earthquakes.

Though the regions of the country away from the Himalayas and other inter-plate boundaries were considered to be relatively safe from damaging earthquakes, the presence of a large number of non-engineering structures and buildings with poor foundations in these areas make these regions also susceptible to earthquakes.

In the recent past, even these areas also have experienced earthquake, of lower magnitude than the Himalayan earthquakes. The North-eastern part of the country continues to experience moderate to strong earthquakes. On an average, this region experiences an earthquake with magnitude greater than 5.0 every year.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are situated on an inter-plate boundary and therefore are likely to experience damaging earthquakes frequently. The increase in earthquake risk in India in recent times is caused due to a spurt in developmental activities driven by urbanization, economic development and the globalization of India’s economy. The increase in the use of high-technology equipment and tools in manufacturing and service industries have also made them susceptible to disruption due to relatively moderate ground shaking.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 3. Flood and Drought :

The country receives an annual precipitation of 400 million hectare meters. Of the annual rainfall, 75% is received during four months of monsoon (June — September) and, as a result, almost all the rivers carry heavy discharge during this period. The flood hazard is compounded by the problems of sediment deposition, drainage congestion and synchronization of river floods with sea tides in the coastal plains.

The area vulnerable to floods is 40 million hectares and the average area affected by floods annually is about 8 million hectares. About 30 million people are affected by flood every year. Floods in the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra plains are an annual feature. On an average, a few hundred lives are lost, millions are rendered homeless and several hectares of crops are damaged every year around 68% arable land of the country is prone to drought in varying degrees.

Drought prone areas comprise 108.11 million hectares out of a total land area of 329 million hectares. About 50 million people are affected annually by drought. Of approximately 90 million hectares of rain-fed areas, about 40 million hectares are prone to scanty or no rain.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 4. Cyclone :

India’s long coastline of 7,516 kilometer is exposed to nearly 10 per cent of the world’s tropical cyclones. Of these, the majority has their initial genesis over the Bay of Bengal and strike the east coast of India. On an average, five to six tropical cyclones form every year, of which two or three could be severe.

Cyclones occur frequently on both the Coasts (the West Coast —Arabian Sea; and the East Coast —Bay of Bengal). More Cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than in the Arabian Sea and the ratio is approximately 4:1.

An analysis of the frequency of cyclones on the East and West Coasts of India between 1891 and 1990 shows that nearly 262 cyclones occurred (92 severe) in a 50 km wide strip on the East Coast. Less severe cyclonic activity has been noticed on the West Coast, with 33 cyclones occurring in the same period, out of which 19 of these were severe.

In India, Tropical cyclones occur in the months of May-June and October-November. The cyclones of severe intensity and frequency in the north Indian Ocean are bi-modal in character, with their primary peak in November and secondary peak in May. The disaster potential is particularly high at the time of landfall in the north Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea) due to the accompanying destructive wind, storm surges and torrential rainfall.

Of these, storm surges are the greatest killers of a cyclone, by which sea water inundates low lying areas of coastal regions and causes heavy floods, erodes beaches and embankments, destroys vegetation and reduces soil fertility.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 5. Landslide :

In the hilly terrain of India including the Himalayas, landslides have been a major and widely spread natural disasters that often strike life and property and occupy a position of major concern. One of the worst tragedies took place at Malpa (Uttrakhand) on 11th and 17th August, 1998. When nearly 380 people were killed when massive landslides washed away the entire village. This included 60 pilgrims going to Lake.

Mansarovar in Tibet. In 2010 Cloud burst led flash mudslides and flash floods killed 196 people, including 6 foreigners and injured more than 400 and swept away number of houses, sweeping away buildings, bus stand and military installations in trans-Himalaya Leh town of Jammu and Kashmir.

Giving due consideration to the severity of the problem various land reform measures have been initiated as mitigation measures. Landslides occur in the hilly regions such as the Himalayas, North-East India, the Nilgiris, and Eastern and Western Ghats.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 6. Avalanche :

Avalanches are river like speedy flow of snow or ice descending from the mountain tops. Avalanches are very damaging and cause huge loss to life and property. In Himalayas, avalanches are common in Drass, Pir Panijat, Lahaul-Spiti and Badrinath areas.

As per Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on an average around 30 people are killed every year due to this disaster in various zones of the Himalayas. Beside killing people, avalanches also damage the roads and others properties and settlements falling in its way.

Area Prone to Avalanches:

I. Avalanches are common in Himalayan region above 3500 m elevation.

II. Very frequent on slopes of 30-45°.

III. Convex slopes more prone to this disaster.

IV. North facing slope have avalanches in winter and south facing slopes during spring.

V. Slopes covered with grass more prone to this hazard.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 7. Tsunami:

Tsunami, or seismic sea waves, are large ocean waves generated by impulses from geophysical events occurring on the ocean floor or along the coastline, such as earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions.

Mostly occurring in the Pacific Ocean, tsunamis, although hardly noticeable at sea, can reach gigantic proportions as they reach shallow, coastal waters. In Hawaii and Japan, for example, tsunamis have been known to reach 30 m in height. At least 22 countries along the rim of the Pacific are estimated to beat risk from potential tsunami.

The fact that tsunamis can travel 10,000 km at velocities exceeding 900 km per hour with little loss of energy and are, therefore, capable of hitting areas not directly affected by the inducing event, has led to the establishment of a tsunami early warning service for the whole circum-Pacific area.

However, only a few of the 22 countries most at risk are considered to have standard operating procedures for immediate evacuation or reliable, rapid communication systems capable of receiving real-time warnings from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

About 6,000-people have been killed by tsunami during 1977-1986 alone. Probably the best documented of these events is the occurrence at Noshiro, Japan, in 1983 which caused approximately 100 deaths and extensive property damage and flooding. The tsunami (Dec. 2004) in South East Asia lead to a death tool of over 2.5 lakhs peoples of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and India.

Tsunamis have multiple origin—16.5 per cent resulted from tectonic earthquakes associated with the eruption, 20 per cent from pyroclastic (ash) flows or surges hitting the ocean, 14 per cent from submarine eruptions, 7 per cent resulted from the collapse of the volcano and subsequent caldera formation, 5 per cent from landslides or avalanches, 3 per cent from atmospheric shock waves and 25 per cent had no discernible origin, but probably were produced by submerged volcanic eruptions.

A partial geographical distribution of tsunamis is given in Table 30.2:

Over past two thousand years there have been 10, 00,000 deaths attributed to tsunami in the Pacific region alone. Earlier Pacific Tsunami warning system was established for forecasting the event. Now global network was established in all Oceans & Seas.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 8. Windstorms:

Judged by the frequency with which they cause damage and by the surface area of the regions they strike, windstorms can be said to be the most significant of all natural hazards. Windstorms influence precipitation systems floods and, most importantly, cause severe destruction to crops and properties.

Severe tropical cyclones (called “ hurricanes ” in the Atlantic, Caribbean and north-eastern Pacific; “ typhoons ” in the western Pacific; and “ cyclones ” in the Indian Ocean and in the sea around Australia), tornadoes, monsoons and thunderstorms between them affect every country in the world.

Today increasing attention is being paid to windstorms, particularly tropical cyclones as some scientists see their incidence as being a possible indicator of global climatic change and predict an increase in their frequency.

Have tropical cyclone frequencies or their intensities increased with global changes throughout the last century? At present, available evidence does not support this idea, perhaps because the warming is not yet large enough to make its impact felt (WMO/UNEP, 1990).

Global information on Kanor windstorms and their impact is collated by organisations such as UNDRO UNEP and AID/OFDA. However, global listings of disasters rarely include those which occur in small states such as island states, which in areas such as the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and South Pacific are particularly prone to tropical cyclones.

This is because listings often set a criteria based on magnitude of impact with which small states cannot compete against larger countries. However, the proportional impact upon small states is often far greater in terms of population, housing and economics.

The impact of cyclones goes far beyond just deaths and building damage. In developing countries destruction of infrastructure and primary agriculture can lead to a decrease in exports and gross national product, while increasing the likelihood of forfeiture of international loan repayments. Contamination of water supplies and destruction of crops can also lead to disease and starvation.

Many mid-latitude cyclonic depressions can give rise to exceptionally heavy rain and widespread flooding and snow fall too. Dust storms are windstorms accompanied by suspended clay, silt materials, usually but not always without precipitation. Average 130-800 million tonnes of dust are entrained by winds each year.

Severe windstorms with high level of flush rain often called thunderstorms associated with lightning, hail and tornadoes cause massive destruction of properties and also human lives through out the world. Early warning and emergency relief operation are the major management activity.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 9. Forest Fire :

Forest or bush fire, though not causing much loss to human life, is a major hazard for forest cover in the country. As per Forest Survey of India report, 50 per cent of the forest cover of the country is fire prone, out of which 6.17 per cent is prone to severe fire damage causing extensive loss to forest vegetation and environment. Average annual physical loss due to forest fire in the country is estimated to worth Rs.440 crores.

The major loss due to forest fire is caused to the environment which gets adversely affected by this calamity. The degradation of climate, soil and water quality, loss of wildlife and its habitat, deterioration of human health, depletion of ozone layer, etc., along with direct loss to timber are the major adverse impact of forest fires.

The coniferous forests in the Himalayan region are very susceptible to fire and every year there are one or more major fire incidences in these areas. The other parts of the country dominated by deciduous forest are also damaged by fire up to an extent. It is worth mentioning that in India 90 per cent of the forest fires are man-made (intentionally or unintentionally).

Essay on Natural Disaster # 10. Volcanoes:

Volcanoes are conduits in the earth’s crust through which gas enriched molten silicate rock magma reaches to the surface of earth crust.

An active volcano occurs where magma (molten rock) reaches the earth’s surface through a central vent or a long crack (fissure) Volcanic activity can release ejecta (debris), liquid lava and gases (H 2 O vapour C 2 , SO 2 , NO x , etc.) to the environment.

There are two types of magma ejected out of volcanoes —silica poor materials, and silica rich materials. The silica poor volcanoes called basaltic volcanoes, while the silica rich volcanoes are andesitic volcanoes.

There are many hazardous phenomena produced directly or as secondary effects, by volcanic eruptions.

The direct hazards of volcanic eruptions are:

a. Lava flow;

b. Ballistics and tephra clouds;

c. Pyroclastic flows and base surges;

d. Gases and acid rains;

e. Lahars (mud flows); and

f. Glacier bursts (Jokulhlamps).

In addition indirectly they are associated with earthquake and tsunami events. Volcanoes are visually one of the most spectacular natural hazardous to occur and probably most devastating in terms of loss of human life.

The volcano likes Mt. Vesurivs, Mt. St Helena, Krakatoa, and Mt, Pelee are significant because of either the enormity of the eruption or the resulting death tool. As per Gaius Pinius Caecilius secundus on 24 August, 79 AD the Nt. Vesuvius eruption causes 2,000 death and burying of the Pompeii city.

There is no doubt that the earth is experiencing on of the most intense periods of volcanism in the last 10,000 years. This period began at the beginning of the seventh century, concomitant with global cooling that peaked in the little ice age.

In contrast the volcanic events of the last century may be viewed as freak eruption of supposedly dormant volcanoes. In the present era, volcanic eruption are pervasive, unpredictable and deadly.

Land use planning better prediction of volcanic eruptions and development of effective evacuation plans reduce the loss of human life from volcanic eruption. The prediction systems related to volcanic activity has improved considerably during past few decades. The environmental consequence of volcanic eruption without or with anthropogenic emission is shown in Fig. 30.3.

Essay on Natural Disaster # 11. Planning For a Safer Tomorrow :

Natural disasters have a severe impact on the society, therefore it is important to plan and develop a safety programme and devise means to efficiently deal with natural disaster. Development programme that go into promoting development at the local level have been left to the general exercise of planning.

Measures need also to be taken to integrate disaster mitigation efforts at the local level with the general exercise of planning, and a more supportive environment created for initiatives towards managing of disasters at all levels: national, state, district and local.

The future blue-print for disaster management in India rests on the premise that in today’s society while hazards, both natural or otherwise, are inevitable, the disasters that follow need not be so and the society can be prepared to cope with them effectively whenever they occur.

The need of the hour is to chalk out a multi-pronged strategy for total risk management, comprising prevention, preparedness, response and recovery on the one hand, and initiate development efforts aimed towards risk reduction and mitigation, on the other. Only then can we look forward to “sustainable development”.

Prevention and Preparedness :

Disaster prevention is intrinsically linked to preventive planning.

Some of the important steps in this regard are:

1. Introduction of a comprehensive process of vulnerability analysis and objective risk assessment.

2. Building a Robust and Sound Information Database:

A comprehensive database of the landuse, demography, infrastructure developed at the national, state and local levels alongwith current information on climate, weather and man-made structures is crucial in planning, warning and assessment of disasters. In addition, resource inventories of governmental and non-governmental systems including personnel and equipment help inefficient mobilization and optimization of response measures.

3. Creating State-of-the-Art Infrastructure:

The entire disaster mitigation game plan must necessarily be anchored to front line research and development in a holistic mode. State-of-the art technologies available worldwide need to be made available in India for upgrading of the disaster management system; at the same time, dedicated research activities should be encouraged, in all frontier areas related to disasters like biological, space applications, information technology, nuclear radiation etc., for a continuous flow of high quality basic information for sound disaster management planning.

4. Establishing Linkages between all knowledge-based Institutions:

A National Disaster Knowledge Network, tuned to the felt needs of a multitude of users like disaster managers, decision-makers, community etc., must be developed as the network of networks to cover natural, man-made and biological disasters in all their varied dimensions.

Capacity Building :

Reconstruction and rebuilding is a long drawn process and those involved in this exercise have to draw upon knowledge of best practices and resources available to them. Information and training on ways to better respond to and mitigate disasters to the responders go a long way in building the capacity and resilience of the country to reduce and prevent disasters.

Training is an integral part of capacity building as trained personnel respond much better to different disaster sand appreciate the need for preventive measures. The multi-sectoral and multi-hazard prevention based approach to disaster management. Professional training in disaster management is essential and should be built into the existing pedagogic research and education.

Specialised courses should be treated as a distinct academic and professional discipline, the subject needs to be discussed and taught as a specific component in professional and specialised courses like medicine, nursing, engineering, environmental sciences, architecture, and town and country planning.

Secondly, there has to be a focus towards preventive disaster management and development of a national ethos of prevention calls for an awareness generation at all levels. An appropriate level of awareness at the school level will help increase awareness among children and, in many cases, parents and other family members through these children.

Curriculum development with a focus towards dissemination of disaster related information on a sustained basis, covering all school levels may be worked out by the different school boards in the country.

Training facilities for government personnel involved in disaster management are conducted at the national level by the National Centre for Disaster Management at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, in New Delhi which functions as the nodal institution in the country for training, research and documentation of disasters.

At the State level, disaster management cells operating within the State Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) provide the necessary training. Presently, 24 ATIs have dedicated faculties. There is a need for strengthening specialized training, including training of personnel in disaster response.

Finally, capacity building should not be limited to professionals and personnel involved in disaster management but should also focus on building the knowledge, attitude and skills of a community to cope with the effects of disasters. Identification and training of volunteers from the community towards first response measures as well as mitigation measures is an urgent imperative.

A programme of periodic drills should be introduced in vulnerable areas to enable prompt and appropriate community response in the event of a disaster which can help save valuable lives.

Communi ty Level:

Disaster management programme must strive to build a disaster resilient community equipped with safer living and sustainable livelihoods to serve its own development purposes. The community is also the first responder in any critical situation there by emphasizing the need for community level initiatives in managing disasters.

There is a need to create awareness through education training and information dissemination, community based approach followed by most NGOs and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) should be incorporated in the disaster management sector as an effective means of community participation.

Finally, within a vulnerable community, there exist groups that are more vulnerable like women and children, aged and in firm and physically challenged people who need special care and attention especially during crisis. Efforts are required for identifying such vulnerable groups and providing special assistance in terms of evacuation, relief, aid and medical attention.

Management of disasters should therefore be an interface between a community effort to mitigate and prevent disasters as also an effort from the government machinery to buttress and support popular initiatives.

Developing a St ronger Plan:

Given the damage caused by disaster, planned expenditure on disaster management and prevention measures in addition to the CRF is required. The Central Sector Scheme of Natural Disaster Management Programme has been implemented since 1993-94 by the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation with the objective to focus on disaster preparedness with emphasis on mitigation and preparedness measures for enhanced capability to reduce the adverse impact of disasters.

The major activities undertaken within this scheme include the setting up of the National Centre for Disaster Management (NCDM) at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, creation of 24 disaster management faculties in 23 states, research and consultancy services, documentation of major disaster events and forging regional cooperation.

The Eighth Plan allocation of Rs.6.30 crore for this scheme was increased to Rs.16.32 crore in the Ninth Plan. Within this scheme, NCDM has conducted over 50 training programme, training more than 1000 people, while 24 disaster management centers with dedicated faculty have been established in the states.

Over 4000 people have been trained at the State level. In addition, some important publications and audio-visual training modules have been prepared and documentation of disaster events has been done.

Though limited in scope and outlays, the Scheme has made an impact on the training and research activities in the country. Creation of faculties in disaster management in all 28 states is proposed to be taken up in the Tenth Plan in addition to community mobilisation, human resource development, establishment of Control Rooms and forging international cooperation in disaster management.

There is also an urgent need for strengthening the disaster management pedagogy by creating disaster management faculties in universities, rural development institutes and other organisations of premier research. Sustainability is the key word in the development process.

Development activities that do not consider the disaster loss perspective fail to be sustainable. The compounded costs of disasters relating to loss of life, loss of assets, economic activities, and cost of reconstruction of not only assets but of lives can scarcely be borne by any community or nation.

Therefore, all development schemes in vulnerable areas should include a disaster mitigation analysis, where by the feasibility of a project is assessed with respect to vulnerability of the area and the mitigation measures required for sustainability. Environmental protection, afforestation programme, pollution control, construction of earthquake resistant structures etc., should therefore have high priority within the plans Mitigation measures on individual structures can be achieved by design standards building codes and performance specifications.

Building codes, critical front-line defence for achieving stronger engineered structures, need to be drawn up in accordance with the vulnerability of the area and implemented through appropriate techno-legal measures. Mitigation measures need to be considered in land use and site planning activities.

Constructions in hazardous areas like flood plains or steep soft slopes are more vulnerable to disasters. Necessary mitigation measures need to be built into the design and costing of development projects. Insurance is a potentially important mitigation measure in disaster-prone areas as it brings quality in the infrastructure consciousness and a culture of safety by its insistence on following building codes, norms, guidelines, quality materials in construction etc.

Disaster insurance mostly works under the premise of ‘higher the risk higher the premium, lesser the risk lesser the premium’, thus creating awareness towards vulnerable areas and motivating people to settle in relatively safer areas?

Essay on Natural Disaster # 12. Major Initiatives taken by Government of India:

Natural disasters have become a recurring phenomenon in the recent past. In the last twenty years or so three million people have been killed as a result of such events. There is a need to focus and develop a plan that would focus on disaster management planning for prevention, reduction, mitigation, preparedness and response to reduce life and property due to natural disaster.

If we take it in the Indian context, the five year plans have never really taken into consideration the issues relating to the management and mitigation of natural disasters. The traditional perception has been limited to the idea of “calamity relief”, which is seen essentially as a non-plan item of expenditure. Disasters can have devastating impact on the economy and is a significant setback to the development in a given region.

Two recent disasters, the Orissa Cyclone and the Gujarat Earthquake, are cases in point. The development process needs to be sensitive towards disaster prevention and mitigation aspects. There is thus a need to look at disasters from a development perspective as well.

Disaster management may not be directly associated with planned financing, but number of schemes are in operation, such as for drought proofing, afforestation, drinking water, etc., which deal with the prevention and mitigation of the impact of natural disasters. Extra assistance for post-disaster reconstruction and streamlining of management structures also is a major consideration of the plan.

A specific, centrally sponsored scheme on disaster management also exists. The plan thus already has a defined role in dealing with the subject. There have been an increasing number of natural disaster over the past years, and with it, increasing losses on account of urbanisation and population growth, as a result of which the impact of natural disasters is now felt to a larger extent.

According to the United Nations, in 2001 alone, natural disasters of medium to high range caused at least 25,000 deaths around the world, more than double the previous year, and economic losses of around US $ 36 billion. Devastations in the aftermath of powerful earthquakes that struck Gujarat, El Salvador and Peru; floods that ravaged many countries in Africa, Asia and elsewhere; droughts that plagued Central Asia including Afghanistan, Africa and Central America; the cyclone in Madagascar and Orissa; and floods in Bolivia are global events in recent memory.

However, what is disturbing is the knowledge that these trends of destruction and devastation are on the rise instead of being kept in check.

Natural disasters know no political boundaries and have no social or economic considerations. They are borderless as they affect both developing and developed countries. They are also merciless, and as such the vulnerable tend to suffer more at the impact of natural disasters.

For example, the developing countries are much more seriously affected in terms of the loss of lives, hardship borne by population and the percentage of their GNP lost. Since number of the most vulnerable regions is in India, natural disaster management has emerged as a high priority for the country.

Going beyond the historical focus on relief and rehabilitation after the event, we now have to look ahead and plan for disaster preparedness and mitigation, in order that the periodic shocks to our development efforts are minimized.

Physical vulnerabilities have a direct impact on the population their proximity to the hazard zone and standards of safety maintained to counter the effects. For instance, some people are vulnerable to flood only because they live in a flood prone area. Physical vulnerability also relates to the technical capacity of buildings and structures to resist the forces acting upon them during a hazard event.

However, physical calamities is not the only criteria, there are prevailing social and economic conditions and its consequential effect on human activities within a given society. Parts of the Indian sub-continent are susceptible to different types of disasters owing to the unique topographic and climatic characteristics.

About 54 per cent of the sub-continent’s land mass is vulnerable to earthquakes while about 4 crore hectares is vulnerable to periodic floods. The decade 1990-2000, has been one of very high disaster losses within the country, losses in the Orissa Cyclone in 1999, and later, the Gujarat Earthquake in 2001 alone amount to several thousand crore of Rupees, while the total expenditure incurred on relief and reconstruction in Gujarat alone has been to the tune of Rs.11,500 crore. Disasters often result in enormous economic losses that are both immediate as well as long term in nature and demand additional revenues.

Also, as an immediate fall-out, disasters reduce revenues from the affected region due to lower levels of economic activity leading to loss of direct and indirect taxes. In addition, unplanned budgetary allocation to disaster recovery can hamper development interventions and lead to unmet developmental targets.

Disasters may also reduce availability of new investment, further constricting the growth of the region. Besides, additional pressures may be imposed on finances of the government through investments in relief and rehabilitation work.

Related Articles:

• Essay on Natural Hazards in India | Geography
• Essay on Tsunami: Top 8 Essays | Natural Disasters | Geography
• Cyclones: Compilation of Essays on Cyclones | Natural Disasters | Geography
• Tsunami: Compilation of Essays on Tsunami | Natural Disasters | Geography

Essay , Geography , Disasters , Natural Disasters , Essay on Natural Disasters

Privacy Overview

Essay on Disaster Management: 200+ Topics on Natural Disasters

Without a doubt, a natural disaster essay is a tough paper to write.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

To begin with, when people encounter a disaster risk, it’s a tragedy. Emergency situations can affect hundreds, thousands, and millions of people. These are the crises and events that change people’s lives drastically. So, disaster and emergency management essay topics aren’t that fun to discuss.

Moreover, an essay on disaster management requires thorough research. Mentioning how people handle natural hazards and recovery from such tragedies is essential for the paper. But you can approach the discussion from different sides.

In this article, our experts will help you with the following:

• How to nail disaster management essay writing.
• What to write your paper about.
• Types of disaster management and their importance.

And good luck!

• 📑 Essay Plan

📢 Disasters to Talk About

🌪️ natural disasters, ⚡ man-made disasters, 👨‍💼 disaster management, 🌎 disaster management essay topics, 🔗 resources, 📑 disaster essay plan.

If you’re writing an essay on such a serious topic, a how-to guide will be of great help. Here, we explore the ideas and issues to explore in your paper and the way to organize it.

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

Check what information your natural disasters essay can include.

Start with the Basics

We skipped it in this post, but you shouldn’t do this in your paper.

When writing a natural disasters essay of 500 words, or 1000 words, it’s essential to start with some general facts:

• A natural disaster definition would be a good beginning. Tell about various types, too.
• You can also provide information about a national disaster of your choice.
• Talk about countries that suffer from it more frequently than others, like India, Japan, etc.
• You can also write a quick rundown of the latest natural disasters.

Don’t forget to make this part meaningful, leading to your thesis statement, where you state your position.

You can check how it can be done in the sample below:

Receive a plagiarism-free paper tailored to your instructions. Cut 20% off your first order!

Go into More In-Depth Details

In the main body, provide specific details about the catastrophe you’ve decided to describe:

• the locations where it can happen,
• causes of natural disasters,
• effects this particular disaster can have (both on the environment and in people’s lives),

Elaborating on each issue, offer evidence. For example, the disaster’s effect on transportation, infrastructure, economy, and so on can be supported by worldwide statistics data. A previously made outline might be a great help here.

Another thing you can do:

You can compare the disaster in question with other ones of the same type. Talk about the damages caused by them and how people dealt with the aftermath. Provide a couple of examples to prove your point.

Be sure to provide as many details as possible. As a result, your essay is maximally useful.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

Talk About Disaster Management

Now, you can pass on the details of handling the situation. To be more specific, you’re going to tell your readers what to do in case of a catastrophe.

In this part of your essay on disaster management, you will have to talk about its phases. They are:

Preparedness

We’ll talk more about disaster management later on in the article.

Make Your Disaster Essay Even More Helpful

Do you want to make your disaster management essay more informative and impressive? Then tell about various organizations that deal with managing disasters. These resources can also help natural disaster victims or those who want to be aware of all the necessary information if something terrible happens.

Say a few words about the following organizations:

• International Association of Emergency Managers
• PreventionWeb
• United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
• FEMA Recovery Resources
• Disaster Resource Guide
• Disaster Assistance
• American Red Cross
• Habitat for Humanity
• The Salvation Army
• World Confederation for Physical Therapy disaster management resources

These resources provide information about the prevention of natural disasters and what types of assistance are available. How to find missing friends or family members? What are the ways of recovering after disaster strikes? There are also community resources that can help with recovery.

End on a High Note

You don’t want to frustrate your reader, leaving them with a bitter impression. No matter how long your natural disaster essay is – 200 words, 300 words, or a thousand. It’s crucial to deliver a positive message.

Here’s what you can do;

• Talk about the consequences. Tell about the lessons that catastrophic events you’ve described teach us, as human beings. Spreading awareness about the consequences is essential, especially if we talk about man-made disasters. You might mention the role of the media in spreading awareness about environmental disasters.
• Talk about dealing with disasters. It might be a natural disaster, such as a tsunami, or human-made, like the Chernobyl disaster. Your essay should include info about how people dealt with them. The experience individuals get from dealing with disasters is priceless.
• Mention the value of human life. Encountering natural disasters reminds people of how fragile their lives are. It shows the importance of cherishing the life given.

In the end, you’ll have to summarize your essay and restate your thesis. While you try not to leave a negative message, don’t present any new thoughts or concepts. Draw a clear conclusion from the info mentioned in the body.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, disasters are divided into two categories—natural and man-made.

Natural disasters are phenomena or processes that occur due to a force of nature and hurt the environment and people. They can cause injuries, property damage, environmental damage, and loss of life or other health impacts.

There are two types of natural disasters—geological hazards (involving geological processes) and meteorological hazards (or climate hazards).

Geological Hazards

A geological hazard is an extreme natural event in Earth’s crust that represents a threat to life and property. Now, let’s take a closer look at them.

Meteorological Hazards

Meteorological hazards are calamities caused by extreme weather factors, such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed. So, let’s talk in more detail about these.

Man-made disasters (also known as anthropogenic) are events caused by the action or inaction of humans. These disasters also affect the environment, humans, other organisms, and ecosystems.

Let’s now move to describe disasters themselves to give you ideas for your future essay.

Societal Hazards

Most societal hazards can be prevented by taking proper measures and actions. These hazards usually appear due to anti-social and criminal behavior. It all can be reported if spotted at the right time.

Hazards Related to Dangerous Materials

Dangerous materials released from man-made or natural hazards threaten human health by increasing the possibility of human exposure to hazardous materials. So, now, let’s take a look at them.

Transportation Hazards

Transportation hazards include disastrous events that can happen anywhere. On the road, in aviation, on railways, in sea travel, and even in space. Several reasons can cause a crash, from mechanism malfunctions to trivial inattention or carelessness. Such catastrophes not only endanger the people involved in them. They also harm the environment, for example, when freight vehicles are involved.

Environmental Hazards

A man-made disaster is classified as environmental if it affects ecosystems and biomes. Such disasters include air pollution, uncontrollable deforestation, oil spills, and water pollution.

What is natural disaster management , anyway? What is the role of adults and youth in it?

Disaster management is the management and organization of responsibilities and resources. Its goal is to deal with the humanitarian aspects of an emergency. Put simply, how to help victims of natural disasters.

There are five stages of the disaster management process:

Let’s see what each of these stages entails.

The name of this stage explains its purpose. Its primary focus is on preventing hazards and potential natural disasters.

Measures are usually taken on different scales, including international and domestic levels. They’re designed to provide reliable protection from possible disasters.

Of course, it isn’t possible to stop all disasters. But there’s always a chance to minimize the risks of injuries and loss of life. All thanks to environmental planning, evacuation plans, and the introduction of specific design standards.

Mitigation measures are those that are taken before a disaster or emergency happens. It aims to reduce or eliminate the risks and impact a hazard can have on people and the environment.

Mitigation measures come in different forms depending on the hazard itself.

Here are some examples of possible actions:

• Structural changes to buildings
• Securing items inside buildings
• Installation of generators
• Construction of shelters
• Large-scale mitigation measures on the national level

The focus of this stage is to prepare supplies and equipment. It also involves developing usage procedures when a disaster happens.

The primary goal is to reduce the level of people’s vulnerability to a disaster. Also, to mitigate a disaster’s impact. And to be able to have a more effective response in case of an emergency.

Organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) even develop a disaster management plan. They also make disaster supply kit lists. Other agencies and organizations use them to teach people how to help each other. Or they modify those plans to increase their effectiveness. Those can be found on the web in the form of downloadable PDF files or printed handouts.

The response stage aims at fulfilling the humanitarian needs of the population affected by a disaster. Depending on the consequences, anyone can provide such assistance, including individuals, social workers, organizations, national and international agencies.

The most important part of the proper response is the effective coordination of assistance, especially if there’s a misbalance in the amounts of demand and the available answers.

In the case of massive and overwhelming disasters, donations play a crucial role in the response process. They range from all kinds of gifts to money (which is the most efficient type of assistance).

The question is: can communities recover after the disaster happens?

The recovery stage begins after the threat to human life is gone. The goal here is to bring the affected area back to normal condition as quickly and efficiently as possible.

This stage usually involves numerous processes—reconstructing buildings, refilling food availability, and preparing the equipment.

• The role of the government oeganizations in mitigation of natural disasters. 
• Discuss how to address the needs and demands of vulnerable population in disaster management .   
• Explain why earthquakes are among the most dangerous natural disasters.  
• Natural disasters and the strategies of disaster management in Katmandu. 
• Natural disasters and vulnerable health populations. 
• Describe the ways to improve disaster response .
• Discuss the cases of post-disaster fraud and how to prevent them.  
• Analyze the level of natural disaster preparedness in Texas .
• Compare international and South Africa’s disaster management.  
• What disaster mitigation strategies can reduce the consequences of flash floods .  
• Examine how natural disasters influence various systems.  
• Describe the ways media responds to natural disasters .  
• The vital role of SNS in a case of a disaster. 
• Analyze ethical and legal issues that arise in case of a natural disaster.  
• Explain why hurricane Katrina is considered one of the worst national disasters in the USA.  
• Describe 2 different global disasters and explain their causes.  
• Discuss the importance of emergency planner in effective disaster preparedness .  
• Issues that may arise during rebuilding and recovery after natural disaster.   
• The main aspects of safety and disaster training for healthcare workers. 
• Analyze winter snow disaster in Philadelphia and its impact on the community.  
• Describe the effect of natural disasters on the supply chain .  
• Examine the reasons and consequences of the Budalangi flood .  
• Explain why the 1900 Galveston hurricane is regarded as disaster management failure . 
• Explain why the problem of wildfire in California is getting out of control.  
• Discuss the response to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami .  
• Compare and analyze the earthquakes in California and Armenia .  
• What were the causes and consequences of Haiti earthquake .  
• The management of evacuations from Gulf Coast hurricanes . 
• Describe what the emergency response to a volcano eruption should be.  
• Why was the blizzard of 1888 so deadly?  
• Is it possible to avoid catastrophic drought ?  
• Analyze how media depicts droughts in Africa .  
• Discuss economic and environmental consequences of earthquakes .  
• The importance of proper training for an effective disaster management.  
• Explain the meaning of “ New Normal” concept after disaster .  
• What steps should government take for better protection from wildfire ?  
• Basic aspects of disaster management in big cities.  
• Analyze the issues and lessons of hurricane Katrina.  
• Compare the preparedness and response strategies to Haiti and Japan’s earthquake. 
• Describe tsunami causes and countermeasures.  

Hopefully, you’ve found this guide on natural disaster essay writing useful.

If you have any thoughts on writing disaster essays—make sure to leave a comment about it below. You can also leave a comment if you want to share more disaster resources. Have any questions, suggestions, or even a story to tell? Leave a comment!

This might be interesting for you:

• Efficient Essays on Environment vs. Development: Useful Tips
• Responsibility Essay: How to Write, Topic Ideas and Examples
• How to Write a Narrative Essay: Easy Guide and Useful Tips
• What is a Disaster?
• Natural Disaster
• Has volcanic activity been increasing?
• What is disaster management?
• What is a Disaster Management Specialist?
• Disaster Planning
• Types of Disasters
• Effects of Disasters: Risk and Resilience Factors
• Proper Emergency Kit Essential to Hurricane Preparedness
• Preventing Natural Hazards From Becoming Societal Disasters
• Natural hazards and disaster risk reduction
• Disaster Preparation and Recovery
• Emergency Response Resources
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

Exemplification essays, which are also called illustration essays, are considered one of the easiest papers to write. However, even the easiest tasks require some experience and practice. So, if you are not experienced enough in writing exemplification essays, you will face certain challenges.

You push the snooze button once again and finally open your eyes. It is already 8:50, and your classes start at 9. “I’m going to be late again!”— you think, already in full panic mode. In a minute, you rush out the door half-dressed, swallowing your sandwich on the go.  ...

An essay about Harriet Tubman is to focus on the biography and accomplishments of a famous American abolitionist and political activist of the 19th century. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery, escaped it herself, and helped others escape it. She changed many jobs throughout her lifetime, being a housekeeper, a...

What is a documented essay and what is the purpose of it? It is a type of academic writing where the author develops an opinion relying on secondary resources. A documented essay can be assigned in school or college. You should incorporate arguments and facts from outside sources into the...

What is a reflexive essay? If you have just received the assignment and think there is a typo, you’re in the right place. Long story short, no, there is no mistake. You actually need to write a reflexive essay, not a reflective one. The thing is that reflective and reflexive...

Fairies and evil spirits, noble kings and queens, beautiful princesses and brave princes, mysterious castles and abandoned huts somewhere in a thick a wood… This is all about fairy tales. Fairy tales are always associated with childhood. Fairy tales always remind us that love rules the world and the Good...

Subjective or objective essay writing is a common task students have to deal with. On the initial stage of completing the assignment, you should learn how to differentiate these two types of papers. Their goals, methods, as well as language, tone, and voice, are different. A subjective essay focuses on...

Writing All About Me paragraph is probably one of the most usual assignments. For example, students might write it when entering an academic institution. Such work gives an opportunity to introduce yourself, your skills, and goals. However, it is not the only possible situation.

Coral reefs can be called one of the most amazing things created by nature. These structures can be found in tropical and temperate waters. Like many other unique natural phenomena, coral reefs are influenced by human activity these days. This negative impact is one of the significant issues to consider when...

An ambition essay focuses on one’s strong desire to achieve success in one or several areas. It might be one’s career, finance, family, art, health, or all at once. Writing an ambition essay, you might want to consider your own life or examples from the world literature. You can describe...

The age of primary school students ranges from 5 to 11 years. At this stage of education, children start developing their writing skills. They make their first steps to analyzing and proving their points of view. Besides, they study how to write an essay for elementary school. Correctly preparing all...

Canadian identity is something that has become really important for many Canadians in the past fifty years. Canada is a big, multinational country with its own traditions, culture, and history. However, because of quite a large number of foreigners and even Americans, its culture and people are associated with the...

It’s really superb!

Thank you, Asumthamary!

Wow. It is very helpful. Thanks.

Thank you for the feedback!

What is the most effective process of prevention disasters?

It’s quite a complex process, and there’s definitely more than one choice.

Thank you a lot. I found this post very helpful in writing my essay on disaster management. Best regards, Michael

Thanks for the excellent guide to writing an essay on disaster management. Very helpful points to include in a disaster management paper! I wish you good luck!

• Essay Samples
• College Essay
• Writing Tools
• Writing guide

Creative samples from the experts

↑ Return to Essay Samples

Cause & Effect Essay: Natural Disasters and Their Causes

Natural disasters happen all over the world, and they can be utterly devastating for people’s lives and the environments in which they live. Although natural disasters are caused by nature and there is nothing that we can do to prevent them happening, there are many different natural causes that lead to natural disasters, and being aware of these causes enables us to be better prepared when such disasters do arrive.

One common natural disaster is flooding, which occurs when a river bursts its banks and the water spills out onto the floodplain. This is far more likely to happen when there is a great deal of heavy rain, so during very wet periods, flood warnings are often put in place. There are other risk factors for flooding too: steep-sided channels cause fast surface run-off, while a lack of vegetation or woodland to both break the flow of water and drink the water means that there is little to slow the floodwater down. Drainage basins of impermeable rock also cause the water to run faster over the surface.

Earthquakes are another common natural disaster that can cause many fatalities. The movements of the plates in the earth’s crust cause them. These plates do not always move smoothly and can get stuck, causing a build-up of pressure. It is when this pressure is released that an earthquake occurs. In turn, an earthquake under the water can also cause a tsunami, as the quake causes great waves by pushing large volumes of water to the surface.

Tsunamis can also be caused by underwater volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions are another natural disaster, and they are caused by magma escaping from inside the earth. An explosion takes place, releasing the magma from a confined space, which is why there are often also huge quantities of gas and dust released during a volcanic eruption. The magma travels up the inside of the volcano, and pours out over the surrounding area as lava.

One of the most common natural disasters, but also one of the most commonly forgotten, is wildfires. These take place in many different countries all over the world, particularly during the summer months, and can be caused by a range of different things. Some of the things that can start the wildfires can be totally natural, while others can be manmade, but the speed at which they spread is entirely down to nature. The two natural causes of wildfires are the sun’s heat and lightning strikes, while they can also be caused by campfires, smoking, fireworks and many other things. The reasons that they spread so quickly are prolonged hot, dry weather, where the vegetation dries out, which is why they often take place in woodland.

Follow Us on Social Media

Get more free essays

Send via email

Most useful resources for students:.

• Free Essays Download
• Writing Tools List
• Proofreading Services
• Universities Rating

Contributors Bio

Find more useful services for students

Free plagiarism check, professional editing, online tutoring, free grammar check.

• School Guide
• CBSE Notes for Class 8
• CBSE Notes for Class 9
• CBSE Notes for Class 10
• CBSE Notes for Class 11
• CBSE Notes for Class 12
• NCERT Solutions
• English Grammar
• Basic Maths Formulas
• 500+ Words Essay on Deforestation For Students
• 500+ Words Essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English
• Essay on I Love My Family For Kids
• Essay on My Pet Dog in English For Students
• Letter For Closing Bank Account: Check Format and Samples
• Essay on My Family: Short, 10 Lines, 100 Words Essay
• Essay on Dog For Kids and Children: Check 200, 300 & 500 Words Essay
• My Aim in Life Essay For Students: 100, 200 & 500 Words Essay
• Rabindranath Tagore Essay in English For Students
• 500+ Words Essay on Swami Vivekananda in English for Students
• Essay on My House in English: Check 300, 500 & 800 Words Essay
• 800 Words Essay On Internet in English for Students
• 500+ Words Essay on Mother Teresa in English For Students
• Essay on Science in English: Check 200, 300 & 500 Words Essay
• 800+ Words Essay on My Dream For Students
• 500+ Words Essay on Air Pollution
• Essay on Summer Vacation For Students in English: Samples Class 3 to 5
• Essay on My Father in English: 300, 500 & 800 Words Essay
• Essay on My Favourite Game in English For Students

500+ Words Essay on Natural Disasters For Students

From the towering walls of water that sweep across coastlines to the ground-shaking tremors that ripple through the earth’s surface, natural disasters are a stark reminder of the immense power of nature and the fragility of our existence. These catastrophic events strike without warning, leaving in their wake a trail of destruction, displacement, and heartbreak.

Table of Content

Types of Natural Disasters

Causes of natural disasters, effects of natural disasters, precautions and preparedness, 500 words essay on natural disasters.

Natural disasters can take many forms, each with its unique characteristics and consequences. Some of the most devastating types include:

1. Earthquakes: Triggered by the sudden release of energy within the Earth’s crust, earthquakes can cause massive structural damage, trigger tsunamis, and disrupt vital infrastructure.

2. Tsunamis: Towering waves generated by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, tsunamis can inundate coastal regions with incredible force, sweeping away everything in their path.

3. Hurricanes and Cyclones: These powerful rotating storm systems, fueled by warm ocean waters, bring destructive winds, torrential rain, and storm surges that can devastate entire communities.

4. Floods : Caused by excessive rainfall, melting snow, or dam failures, floods can submerge vast areas, disrupting lives and destroying property.

5. Wildfires: Driven by dry conditions, high winds, and human activities, wildfires can consume vast swaths of land, threatening lives, homes, and natural habitats.

6. Volcanic Eruptions: The explosive release of molten rock, ash, and gases from the Earth’s interior can bury entire regions in a blanket of destruction.

7 . Droughts : Prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall can lead to water scarcity, crop failures, and even famine in some regions.

While some natural disasters are triggered by geological processes deep within the Earth, others are influenced by human activities and the changing climate. Factors such as deforestation, urbanization, and the burning of fossil fuels can increase the risk and intensity of certain disasters.

Climate change, in particular, is playing an increasingly significant role in the frequency and severity of many natural disasters. Rising global temperatures are contributing to more intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, which can exacerbate coastal flooding.

The impact of natural disasters can be catastrophic, affecting every facet of human life and the environment. Some of the most significant effects include:

1. Loss of Life: Natural disasters can claim countless lives, leaving families and communities devastated by the loss of loved ones.

2. Destruction of Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, buildings, and critical infrastructure can be severely damaged or destroyed, hampering relief efforts and hindering recovery.

3. Economic Losses: The damage caused by natural disasters can result in staggering economic losses, affecting businesses, industries, and entire economies.

4. Displacement of Populations: Disasters often force people to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere, leading to humanitarian crises and long-term displacement.

5. Environmental Degradation: Natural disasters can disrupt ecosystems, pollute water sources, and contribute to soil erosion and habitat loss, threatening biodiversity and natural resources.

6. Psychological Trauma: Survivors of natural disasters often grapple with the psychological toll, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

While it is impossible to prevent many natural disasters, proactive measures can be taken to mitigate their impact and enhance preparedness. Some of these measures include:

1. Effective Early Warning Systems: Developing and implementing robust early warning systems can provide valuable lead time for evacuation and emergency response efforts.

2. Disaster Risk Reduction: Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities through measures such as land-use planning, building codes, and infrastructure improvements can minimize potential damages.

3. Community Preparedness: Educating and empowering communities on disaster preparedness, including emergency plans, evacuation routes, and survival skills, can save lives and facilitate quicker recovery.

4. Resilient Infrastructure: Investing in resilient infrastructure, such as earthquake-resistant buildings and flood control systems, can reduce the impact of natural disasters.

5. Environmental Protection: Conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, such as wetlands and forests, can act as natural buffers against certain disasters and mitigate their effects.

6. International Cooperation: Fostering global partnerships and collaborations can facilitate knowledge-sharing, resource allocation, and coordinated response efforts during disasters.

Throughout human history, civilizations have grappled with the unpredictable and often merciless power of nature. Natural disasters, ranging from earthquakes and tsunamis to hurricanes and wildfires, have left indelible scars on communities worldwide, reminding us of our fragility in the face of nature’s might.

At their core, natural disasters are events triggered by the Earth’s natural processes, such as tectonic shifts, atmospheric disturbances, or geological phenomena. However, their consequences extend far beyond the physical realm, profoundly impacting lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of societies.

The destructive force of these events is unparalleled. Earthquakes can reduce towering structures to rubble in mere seconds, while hurricanes and cyclones unleash winds of incredible ferocity, capable of obliterating entire coastlines. Wildfires, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, consume everything in their path, leaving smoldering landscapes and displaced communities in their wake.

The human toll of natural disasters is staggering. Lives are tragically lost, families are torn apart, and survivors are left to grapple with the psychological trauma of witnessing such overwhelming devastation. Beyond the immediate loss of life, the aftermath often brings a cascade of challenges, including displacement, lack of access to essential resources, and the daunting task of rebuilding shattered communities.

The economic impact of natural disasters is equally profound. Infrastructure is crippled, businesses are disrupted, and entire industries can be brought to a standstill. The ripple effects of these events can reverberate throughout local and global economies, hampering recovery efforts and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.

Moreover, the environmental consequences of natural disasters are far-reaching. Ecosystems are disrupted, delicate habitats are destroyed, and biodiversity is threatened as species struggle to adapt to the altered landscapes. The long-term effects on the natural world can be felt for generations, further compounding the challenges faced by impacted communities.

Addressing the threat posed by natural disasters requires a multifaceted approach that spans prevention, preparedness, and resilience-building efforts. Investing in robust early warning systems, fortifying infrastructure, and promoting disaster risk reduction strategies are crucial steps in minimizing the impact of these events.

Furthermore, addressing the underlying drivers of climate change is paramount, as many natural disasters are exacerbated by the effects of global warming. By transitioning towards more sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint, we can mitigate the intensity and frequency of certain disasters, safeguarding both human and environmental well-being.

Ultimately, natural disasters serve as a humbling reminder of the immense power of nature and the fragility of our existence. While we cannot control the forces that give rise to these events, we can cultivate resilience, foster global cooperation, and prioritize preparedness efforts to better withstand their fury.

As we navigate the unpredictable landscape of natural disasters, let us embrace our shared responsibility to protect lives, safeguard communities, and forge a more sustainable relationship with the natural world. By doing so, we can forge a path towards a future where the devastating impacts of these events are minimized, and humanity emerges stronger and more resilient in the face of nature’s challenges.

Also Read: My Aim in Life Essay For Students: 100, 200 & 500 Words Essay My Village Essay in English For Students 500+ Words Essay on Importance of Education in English

Natural disasters underscore our need for resilience and preparedness. By bolstering infrastructure, safeguarding the environment, and addressing climate change, we can lessen their impact. Emphasizing risk reduction and sustainable practices, we aim to protect lives, economies, and ecosystems. Together, through resilience and cooperation, we can build a future where communities coexist with nature’s forces.

Essay on Natural Disasters- FAQs

What is disaster 1 paragraph.

A disaster is a major disturbance in the operation of a community or society resulting in widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses and impacts that surpass the afflicted community’s or society’s ability to manage using its own resources.

What are the 2 main types of disasters?

Disasters are typically divided into two categories: natural and man-made. Natural catastrophes are typically related with weather and geological occurrences such as severe temperatures, floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and drought.

What are 5 man-made disasters?

A. Man-made disasters involve human intent, neglect, or error in the breakdown of a man-made system, as opposed to natural disasters caused by natural hazards. Such man-made calamities include crime, arson, civil unrest, terrorism, war, biological/chemical threats, cyber-attacks, and so on.

Please Login to comment...

Similar reads.

• Essay Writing
• school blogs
• School English
• 10 Best Slack Integrations to Enhance Your Team's Productivity
• 10 Best Zendesk Alternatives and Competitors
• 10 Best Trello Power-Ups for Maximizing Project Management
• Google Rolls Out Gemini In Android Studio For Coding Assistance
• 30 OOPs Interview Questions and Answers (2024)

Improve your Coding Skills with Practice

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

Home / Essay Samples / Environment / Disasters / Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters Essay Examples

Diverse impact of volcano eruption.

People have settled in areas that are frequently divested by using natural disaster during two human history. San Francisco is one of the most populated cities yet it receives earthquakes day by day. Volcano is an opening on the surface of the planet or moon...

Nepal's Earthquake Aftermath: Impacts and Governmental Responses

This effects of earthquake essay that seeks to discuss the detrimental impacts, immediate and long-term responses due to the destruction and chaos the Nepal earthquake caused in 2015. This piece of writing will focus on the key risk factors in Nepal and the lack of...

Unprecedented Devastation: Remembering the Haiyuan Earthquake

An earthquake is a natural hazard that is well-known as a pose representing threat and danger. The violent event portrays the shaking of the earth's surface due to a sudden abrupt release of the stored energy of the tectonic plates in the earth's crust. The...

Muzaffarabad Earthquake: Causes, Effects and Preventions

Earthquake is a natural disaster associated with the tectonic movements in the Earth’s crust, which are the major cause of earthquakes. As plates move in different directions with one another by tectonic forces, stress builds up in the interior of the earth. When the potential...

Japan's 2011 Earthquake: Lessons Learned and Future Preparedness

On March 11th, 2011, the northeast coast of the Tōhoku, Japan's Honshu island was hit by an earthquake measuring at the magnitude of 9. An earthquake is rapid shiftment of the Earth's tectonic plates, which outcome in the ground shaking. Tectonic plates are large slabs...

Hurricane: Tips for Self-protection

Whenever hurricane season returns every summer in Miami Florida, the fear of property damage and loss of real estate is always on a high. Because of the history of South Florida and hurricanes, insurance companies have taken specific steps to ensure protection and coverage. In...

Typhoon Yolanda: the Role of Government and Society

In the Philippines, there is a word called Haling or 'to care for oneself.' In this country it means that they take care of themselves by taking time heal themselves, take care of yourself. They believe that if they do not heal themselves, they will...

Agriculture Impacts of Natural Disasters: an Overview

To start with, in effects of natural disasters essay will be discussed the effects of natural disasters on agriculture. The United States is the host to several different types of extremely costly and dangerous natural disasters each year. Natural disasters vary greatly in their size,...

When Disaster Strikes: the Vital Role of Preparedness

The Filipino’s should be aware that Disaster and hazard is a serious disruption of a community. It can lead people suffer from disaster because many of them will be affected like losses of properties, resources, loss of life such as families and love ones. In...

The Role of Social Media in Typhoon Preparedness and Response

The Philippines has been name as the world’s most exposed country to tropical storms. An average of 20 storms per year hit the country, five of which are destructive. In 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda hits the central Philippine island, as it is the most destructive...

Trying to find an excellent essay sample but no results?

Don’t waste your time and get a professional writer to help!

You may also like

• Tornado Essays
• Dust Bowl Essays
• Global Warming Essays
• Solar Energy Essays
• Pollution Essays
• Sustainability Essays
• Plastic Bags Essays
• Recycling Essays
• Water Conservation Essays
• Summer Essays

About Natural Disasters

A natural disaster is a natural event such as a flood, earthquake, or hurricane that causes great damage or loss of life.

Geological, Hydrological, Meteorological, Wildfires,Space disasters.

Not only are natural disasters becoming more common, they are also becoming more widespread. Floods are the most widespread natural disaster aside from wildfires. In the U.S., 2021 was one of the worst years for natural disasters, both in terms of the number of events and the total cost of damages.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->