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Looming clash between man-made and natural risks

The risks are rising for cities in the Anthropocene Era at alarming rates.

    Published Fri, Dec 17, 2021 · 09:50 PM

    IN the Anthropocene Era we are living in - where man-made and natural risks are intersecting and clashing like never before - the impacts on cities are rising at an alarming rate. This has prompted a variety of organisations to study its impacts, with some surprising and frightening results.

    Among the first was insurer Lloyd's and the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies, which published a fascinating study in 2015 on cities at risk around the globe. The study was the first of its kind that mapped out how US$4.6 trillion of some 300 cities' gross domestic product was at risk from man-made and/or naturally occurring risks.

    Among its conclusions was that man-made risks are becoming increasingly significant, new and emerging threats are having a rising impact on the overall risk landscape, and the bulk of the cost of these risks will ultimately be borne by the developing world, which is in the least favourable position to do something about it.

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