Characteristics of Risks in the Modern World

Abstract

A number of driving forces have been identified that are shaping our modern world and have a strong influence on the risks we face (cf. OECD 2003a:10 ff.): The demographic development, including the increase of the world population, the growing population density and visible trends towards urbanisation accompanied by significant changes in the age structure of most industrial populations have lead to more vulnerabilities and interactions among natural, technological and habitual hazards. Demographic changes are also partially responsible for the strong interventions of human beings into the natural environment. Human activities, first of all the emission of greenhouse gases, may cause global warming and, as a consequence, place growing stress on ecosystems and human settlements. In addition, the likelihood of extreme weather events increases with the rise of average world temperatures.