Social vulnerability can be described as a measure for the population's vulnerability in response to natural hazards. It helps identify areas that require special attention to ensure the long-term recovery and survival of a society following a disaster. Socially vulnerable counties have certain characteristics that make it less likely they will survive a natural catastrophe. The most common characteristics of vulnerable populations include gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and housing tenure.
The geography of social vulnerabilities has seen a dramatic shift over the last 50 years. The majority of counties with high levels of social vulnerability are still located in the U.S./Mexico border region and along the lower Mississippi River. These areas have seen an increase in social vulnerability in other parts of the United States. Social vulnerability has increased in many Great Plains counties. This isn't necessarily a sign there is a growing population but rather it is a result of the declining population.
The United States has seen major changes in its economy and built environment in recent decades, in addition to a drop in population. This led to increased development but also increased vulnerability.
From the 1960s through 2000, the Southwest, Florida and the Deep South were home to the most vulnerable population. The Great Plains saw a significant population decline by the 1990s. This led to a decrease of high-vulnerability clusters. Fortunately, the majority of Alaska, Hawaii, as well as other areas of the country, had reached average levels of social vulnerability.
The northern Great Plains has continued to experience high levels of social vulnerability over the past decade. Similar patterns are seen in the lower Rio Grande Valleys and lower Mississippi Valleys. Southern California will continue to see high social vulnerability levels. In the Southwest, Native American lands will remain areas of high social vulnerability.
Despite these changes in geography, the distribution of social vulnerability across the U.S. remains fairly consistent. SoVI is responsible for roughly 73% to 78% variance in social vulnerability. As a result, SoVI can be used to map the spatial distribution of social vulnerability.
It is not easy to assess social vulnerability. Because different groups within a society have different abilities to handle hazard impacts it is important to understand how to assess their vulnerability. These factors include the social, political, and economic factors that influence the distribution of resources within communities.
From the 1990 US Census, over 250 variables were collected to determine social vulnerability. Each component was first normalized. Then, a regression scoring system was used to calculate a county score. These scores were weighted based on the proportion of variance explained each component. Results showed that socioeconomic status was responsible for the greatest variation in each component.
FAQ
How can extreme weather events be related to climate changes?
Global warming is directly connected to extreme weather events such a heat wave, floods or droughts, cyclones storms, hurricanes, and cyclones. Global warming has caused an increase in atmospheric temperatures. This has had an impact on different weather phenomena worldwide.
According to climate scientists in 1980, extreme weather-related natural disasters have increased by more than twice the rate. The sea level rises due to rising ocean temperatures and changing wind patterns. This can affect the distribution of hurricanes and storms in different geographic regions around the globe.
2015 El Nino brought warm water towards South America. This led to increasing temperatures at an alarming pace and heavy rains that caused floods and displacement in Peru, Bolivia and other countries. Many places, including Antarctica has recorded its highest temperature ever. This is an indication of a strong correlation between global warming trends & the occurrence/frequency of extreme weather phenomena around the globe.
Another example is Hurricane Irma in 2017. It caused $50 billion economic loss to Florida and other states, as well as Puerto Rico and Cuba. This is yet another proof that climate change is responsible.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), concluded human activities are increasing climate change's severity. This in turn leads to more frequent and severe natural disasters across the globe. Therefore, strong evidence is available regarding our relationship with extreme weather events happening at frequent intervals all around us.
What does climate change mean for the oceans and marine life of the world?
What are the effects of climate change on oceans and marine life around the globe?
Since its inception, climate change has had a significant impact on the oceans and marine life of the world. Constant oceanic heat from the depletion in the ozone layer causes major disruptions in marine ecosystems. This leads to coral bleaching, and decreases in species.
Climate change also causes unpredictable weather conditions and stronger storms. These extreme surges can be deadly for coastal areas. Temperature changes can also cause water levels to drop, causing "dead zones", areas where there is less marine life.
Ocean acidification is also caused by carbon dioxide that is released into the air and then accumulates in the seas. Ocean acidification raises the pH balance which disrupts essential functions of animals unable to adapt such as oysters, clams, and crabs as their shells become weakened.
Higher temperatures can alter the natural habitats of certain species by changing their locations or shrinking them, making them uninhabitable. An increase in ocean pressure can cause a drastic imbalance between predators & prey and lead to the extinction of many species.
The effects of climate change ripple throughout entire ecosystems influencing multiple species whether directly or indirectly through evaporation lowering water volumes or sharp temperature shifts jeopardizing any sustainable development for fisheries and other maritime activities. Climate change is transforming the future of all life forms on our planet, not just those living on land but those living below the ocean surface.
What is the state of international efforts for climate change mitigation?
The current state of international efforts to address climate change is one of unprecedented unity and momentum. Countries from all over the globe are increasingly coming together to find ways to reduce their emissions, increase resilience against impacts and invest in renewable energy.
The Paris Agreement has been a catalyst for global action. Individual countries can set voluntary targets for reducing their carbon emissions by using the framework provided by the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is providing political guidance and piloting new initiatives such as carbon market mechanisms.
There are also progresses in certain regions. For example, the European Green Deal, a comprehensive package aimed at recreating Europe’s economy with sustainability at the core, and the African Renewable Energy Initiative, which targets increasing Africa's share in global renewable energy production, is being implemented.
Along with policy changes, action can be observed across all sectors and industries. Cities are actively moving toward sustainable public transport systems. Society as a whole is moving towards more sustainable lifestyles. Companies invent technologies that reduce carbon emissions. Investors are shifting their capital away to renewables.
Through the Common Reporting Framework (CFR), the 2021 Guidelines, the rich countries that are members of the OECD committee have agreed to common standards for reporting their national climate change actions.
These efforts all signify an unprecedented importance placed on climate action. To meet climate goals, both governments and civil society must continue to build on the momentum.
Statistics
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- features Earth's average surface temperature in 2022 tied with 2015 as the fifth warmest on record, according to an analysis by NASA. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- Indigenous peoples and local communities receive less than 1% of all climate funding despite scoring wins for people and nature Africa's broken food markets must be fixed to tackle hunger (climatechangenews.com)
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How To
How to Support Climate-Friendly Companies and Policies
Individuals can take several actions to support climate friendly policies and companies. This can include speaking out against non-climate-friendly businesses or politicians, voting for pro-environment candidates, writing letters or emails of encouragement to those who are already taking positive action towards the environment, and signing petitions in favor of policies that encourage and support climate-friendliness. Individuals can take practical steps like switching to greener providers or choosing more sustainable products than those that emit higher carbon emissions.
It is important to reduce one's carbon footprint in order to support climate-friendly companies and policies. It can be as simple as changing your daily habits like unplugging appliances and turning off lights when they are not needed. You can also use eco-friendly household products such biodegradable cleaners and composting kitchen scraps to reduce carbon emissions.
Investors who want to support climate friendly policies should search for companies with lower carbon emissions prior to investing. Investors interested in climate-friendly policies should examine their portfolios every so often to make sure they are meeting sustainability standards. Investors may want to ensure that their investments in Green bonds do not finance projects with any activity which contributes more greenhouse gases into the air than they take away. Investors should consider any opportunities that could allow funds to be used for green business activities. These include renewable energy alternatives as a way to promote sustainability and community-building projects using green technologies.