As one philosopher said, "Man lives by geological and natural consent subject to change without notice."
Every year our planet has thousands of floods, earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, avalanches, and tornadoes, and hundreds of volcanic eruptions and tropical cyclones.
During the past 20 years, natural hazards have killed about three million people. More than 800 million have suffered loss of home, health, family members or friends, and endured economic hardship.
