Quakes were biggest disaster killers of decade: UN

Was not "the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004" caused by an earthquake - underwater, but nevertheless an earthquake.

It was indeed.

When did we replace the term "weather event" with "climate event"?

Lots of mention of the European heatwave but no mention of the current deep freeze that's claimed twice as many people.

It was indeed.

When did we replace the term "weather event" with "climate event"?

Lots of mention of the European heatwave but no mention of the current deep freeze that's claimed twice as many people.

Oh dear .... while I find the article rather confusing - particularly the first two paragraphs: "

"A UN-backed study said nearly 60 percent of about 780,000 people killed by disasters in 2000 to 2009 died during earthquakes.

But climate events affected far more people -- nearly three quarters of the two billion hit by catastrophes."

The segue from deaths to 'effected by' is confusing.

The only reference to weather or climate problems is one about 'extreme temperatures' - nothing about European chills of heat waves.

Do we have the same article?

Apparently it is considered gauche to point out that earthquakes of equal or greater energy kill far fewer people in developed nations with prosperous economies.

Apparently it is considered gauche to point out that earthquakes of equal or greater energy kill far fewer people in developed nations with prosperous economies.

marjon I am glad you used the word 'gauche' - as the only references I have seen to the horrid way the prosperous economies have treated Haiti and impoverished it has been in the 'gauche' press - left wing. Indeed, I saw a clip from FOX where some commentator extolled all the 'charity' that has been visited upon the unfortunate country. The suggestion being that it is all their fault - and has nothing to do with years of deliberate animosity toward Haiti.

The only reference to weather or climate problems is one about 'extreme temperatures' - nothing about European chills of heat waves.

Ahem,

Officials and researchers also maintained their alarm over climate or weather-related disasters as the overall number of catastrophes more than doubled compared to the previous decade.

Not done yet.

and 72,210 in heat waves in Europe (2003).

Do we have the same article?

Read the entire article first.

Apparently it is considered gauche to point out that earthquakes of equal or greater energy kill far fewer people in developed nations with prosperous economies.

marjon I am glad you used the word 'gauche' - as the only references I have seen to the horrid way the prosperous economies have treated Haiti and impoverished it has been in the 'gauche' press - left wing. Indeed, I saw a clip from FOX where some commentator extolled all the 'charity' that has been visited upon the unfortunate country. The suggestion being that it is all their fault - and has nothing to do with years of deliberate animosity toward Haiti.

Whose fault is it then when such kleptocracies continue to be subsidized by the USA and other governments? The USA does bear some responsibility for not demanding a better, more accountable government in Haiti in exchange for aid.

The US did not back Papa Doc and his dreadful son? Even yet I thoroughly agree with you - if the 'right thing' were done years ago - the extent of the disaster would certainly have been lessened.

Here is an solid engineering solution to help Haiti:
http://www.monoli...or-haiti

After building such housing, the next step is to have a government that would protect the owner's property rights.

It doesn't matter who backed him. He was the better of the 8 options at the time. Haiti has never had central leadership or economic control over it's own fate. That's the problem with being an economically desolate island nation with few natural resources.

It doesn't matter who backed him. He was the better of the 8 options at the time. Haiti has never had central leadership or economic control over it's own fate. That's the problem with being an economically desolate island nation with few natural resources.

If Haiti had no resources where did the ruling class acquire their wealth? (Of course they steal it, but it must come from some type of natural resource.)
How are Haiti's natural resources any less than their neighbor's that are not as poor?

It doesn't matter who backed him. He was the better of the 8 options at the time. Haiti has never had central leadership or economic control over it's own fate. That's the problem with being an economically desolate island nation with few natural resources.

The major portion of the wealth of France came from Haiti for years before it claimed independence. (Which pissed off Napoleon to no end.)

The US withheld recognition of the island state for fear it would energize slaves in other states to throw off their shackles.

Here is an solid engineering solution to help Haiti:
http://www.monoli...or-haiti

After building such housing, the next step is to have a government that would protect the owner's property rights.

marjon, are you an engineer? I remember a quote from somewhere that said if you want the solution of a problem ask and engineer and they will give you an engineering solution: a soldier and they will give you a military solution: a scientist and they will give you a scientific solution.

That you bothered to look into it shows the depth of your compassion - I think that the second part of the posting is more important than the first.

It doesn't matter who backed him. He was the better of the 8 options at the time. Haiti has never had central leadership or economic control over it's own fate. That's the problem with being an economically desolate island nation with few natural resources.

If Haiti had no resources where did the ruling class acquire their wealth? (Of course they steal it, but it must come from some type of natural resource.)
How are Haiti's natural resources any less than their neighbor's that are not as poor?

You think the Dominican Republic is wealthy? Ridiculous. The only countries that do well in the caribbean are the tourist traps, the tobacco exporters, and the drug cartels.

Here is an solid engineering solution to help Haiti:
http://www.monoli...or-haiti

After building such housing, the next step is to have a government that would protect the owner's property rights.

marjon, are you an engineer? I remember a quote from somewhere that said if you want the solution of a problem ask and engineer and they will give you an engineering solution: a soldier and they will give you a military solution: a scientist and they will give you a scientific solution.

That you bothered to look into it shows the depth of your compassion - I think that the second part of the posting is more important than the first.

Is it more compassionate to keep people dependent or to promote independence?

Is it more compassionate to keep people dependent or to promote independence?

Promoting independence allows the one at play to determine which is better.

Creating dependence removes the ability to choose. I prefer to give people the choice and allow their own morality to decide what's best.

Is it more compassionate to keep people dependent or to promote independence?

Promoting independence allows the one at play to determine which is better.

Creating dependence removes the ability to choose. I prefer to give people the choice and allow their own morality to decide what's best.

You believe it compassionate to allow people to chose to be dependent?

You believe it compassionate to allow people to chose to be dependent?

If they choose to lead a life I do not agree with, is it compassionate for me to force my views upon them?