Continuing EducationMarch 27, 2008 at 7–8 p.m.

Global Change and Natural Hazards: A Perfect Storm? by Mark Bjelland, Geography Department. What effect will a changing global climate have on the frequency and intensity of tornadoes, flash floods, droughts, and hurricanes? Will changes in human populations, land-use, and warning technologies make us more or less vulnerable to such hazards? According to some scientists, a changing climate combined with changing patterns of human population and activity has set the stage for ever increasing numbers of catastrophic natural disasters. This talk surveys four natural hazards associated with the atmosphere including tornadoes, flash floods, droughts, and hurricanes. It will also look at the factors that lead to hazard vulnerability.