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Risky world

The purpose of this module is to explore the world of risk from a personal scale to a global scale

  • Key Stage Three,
  • Module,
  • Hazards and risk
  • Overview
  • Is our local area a risky place?
  • Are some places riskier than others?
  • How risky is it to live in the UK?
  • To what extent are some hazard risks made greater by humans?
  • Can all hazard risk be managed? (one)
  • Can all hazard risk be managed? (two)
  • Does location affect how hazard risks are managed?
  • Assessment

Integral to any study of risk in the human and physical worlds are the geographical concepts of place, space and scale. It is important to understand the spatial patterns of risk (where the risk is), the scale of the risk (how big is the risk and how bad the effects might be) and the influence of place on risk (what physical and human characteristics make a location risky). Geographers are by no means the only people interested in this. Businesses such as insurance companies, governments, environmental agencies and planners also analyse risk in the world, often with the aid of GIS. The purpose of this module is to explore the world of risk from a personal scale to a global scale. The media can seem full of stories about how we are at constant risk from crime, natural disasters, climate change, international terrorism and global epidemics. But who in the world is most at risk from natural or human disasters and is it possible to manage these risks/hazards?

Starting with the local area and looking at neighbourhood statistics pupils compare their level of risk of being a victim of crime or being involved in an accident compared to regional of national figures. The students may already have personal experiences of these which they can discuss or map. The module then puts this into global perspective by looking at how mortality risk is distributed globally. These spatial patterns, distributions can be described, analysed and often explained by reference to social, economic, environmental and political processes. In some areas of the world people are exposed to greater risk or are more vulnerable to risks than others owing to a combination of these processes. For example, large populations in parts of Asia are most at risk from cyclones and storm surges owing to climate change and rising seas.  The future aspect of climate change and understanding that the physical and human dimensions of the environment are interdependent through environmental interaction and sustainable development is essential in helping students to understand the need to participate in informed and responsible action to mitigate against these risks as global citizens.

Zooming back to the national scale and with particular reference to the recent and widespread fluvial flooding experienced, the UK is considered as a risky place. Students consider the causes, effects and whether they are at risk in the future. New Orleans has long been known to be at high risk of devastation by hurricanes but when Katrina hit some people believe poor management of the risk led to some vulnerable groups being affected much worse than others.

Carrying on the theme of hazard risk management through the module students then consider whether much larger scale events with international impacts such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami could be managed more effectively. The module ends by considering why populations of countries at different states of development are disproportionately at risk and why within countries certain vulnerable groups are often most at risk form natural and human events.

Is our local area a risky place?

Are some places riskier than others?

How risky is it to live in the UK?

To what extent are some hazard risks made greater by humans?

Can all hazard risk be managed (one)?

Can all hazard risk be managed (two)?

Does location affect how hazard risks are managed?

Risky world - Assessment

Downloads

  • Risky World Module Overview (.doc)
  • Risky World Module Overview (.pdf)
  • Risky World Module Plan (.doc)
  • Risky World Module Plan (.pdf)
  • Risky World Factsheet (.doc)
  • Risky World Factsheet (.pdf)
  • Risky World Guide (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 1 Definition of Risk (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 1 Definition of Risk (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 1 Data Instruction Sheets and Matrix (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 1 Data Instruction Sheets and Matrix (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 2 Risky World (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 2 Risky World (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 2 Climate Change (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 2 Climate Change (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 2 Risky Places Starter (.ppt)
  • Risky World Lesson 2 Diamond Nine instruction sheet (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 2 Ripple Effect Diagram (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Teachers' Notes (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Teachers' Notes (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Example Question Sheet (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Example Question Sheet (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Example Living With Floods Sheet (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Example Living With Floods Sheet (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Floods Information Sheet (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Floods Information Sheet (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 MI5 Images (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 MI5 Images (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Stimulus Photo 1 (.jpg)
  • Risky World Lesson 3 Stimulus Photo 2 (.jpg)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 World Circle (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 World Circle (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 World Circle Instructions for Teachers (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 World Circle Instructions for Teachers (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 Hurricane Katrina Article (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 Hurricane Katrina Article (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 Six-Hat Thinking Cards (.ppt)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 Six-Hat Thinking Teacher Instructions (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 4 Six-Hat Thinking Teacher Instructions (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 World Outline Map (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 List of Countries Affected by Tsunamis (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 List of Countries Affected by Tsunamis (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Sequencing Activities (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Sequencing Activities (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Causes of Tsunami Factsheet (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Causes of Tsunami Factsheet (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 News Article To Support Sequencing Activity (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 News Article To Support Sequencing Activity (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Storyboard Outline: More Able (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Storyboard Outline: More Able (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Storyboard Outline: Less Able (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Storyboard Outline: Less Able (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Triangle of Knowledge (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 5 Triangle of Knowledge (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 6 Fly-through of Khoalak in Thailand (.mpg)
  • Risky World Lesson 6 Scale of Impact Sheet (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 6 Scale of Impact Sheet (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 6 Example Maps (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 6 Example Maps (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 6 o/x Outline (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 6 o/x Outline (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 7 A-Z Sheet (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 7 A-Z Sheet (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 7 Venn Diagram Outline (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 7 Venn Diagram Outline (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 7 Comparing Countries (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 7 Comparing Countries (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Teachers' Guidance (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Teachers' Guidance (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Levelling Grid (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Levelling Grid (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Flooding in Gloucester July 2007 (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Flooding in Gloucester July 2007 (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Map of Gloucester (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Map of Gloucester (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Assessment Activity (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Assessment Activity (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Using Sources (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Using Sources (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Plan for Gloucester Housing Report (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Plan for Gloucester Housing Report (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sites (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sites (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Assessment of Flooding for Chosen Site (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 5 Assessment of Flooding for Chosen Site (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Assessment Activity (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Assessment Activity (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Using Sources (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Using Sources (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Plan for Gloucester Housing Report (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Plan for Gloucester Housing Report (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sites (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sites (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Assessment of Flooding for Chosen Site (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Assessment of Flooding for Chosen Site (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Flooding in Gloucester July 2007 (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 6 Flooding in Gloucester July 2007 (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 7 Assessment Activity (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 7 Assessment Activity (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 7 Plan for Gloucester Housing Report (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 7 Plan for Gloucester Housing Report (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sites (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sites (.pdf)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 7 Assessment of Flooding for Chosen Site (.doc)
  • Risky World Lesson 8 Level 7 Assessment of Flooding for Chosen Site (.pdf)
  • Download all

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