UNEP year book 2009: new science and developments in our changing environment

This book presents work in progress on scientific understanding of global environmental change, as well as foresight about possible issues on the horizon. The aim is to raise awareness of the interlinkages among environmental issues that can accelerate the rates of change and threaten human wellbeing.

The chapter on disasters and conflicts, documents civil unrest, earthquakes, storms, and droughts that continue to stress human populations and the ecosystems they depend upon. In particular, vulnerable populations are at risk. Evidence is mounting, however, that disaster prevention and preparedness programmes are working. The chapter also contains a map of significant environmental events of 2008.