Abstract

Every week our media are filled with scenes from new disasters around the world. They range from hurricanes, floods and landslides, through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, to droughts, famines and heatwaves. Invariably many people die or are injured and suffer as a result, sometimes stretching into tens and even hundreds of thousands of casualties. For religious believers their faith in a sovereign, loving God may be challenged by this. Yet the magnitude of such suffering is not inevitable. Natural hazards, which are a consequence of the processes that actually make Earth a habitable home for humanity are frequently turned into disasters by poor human choices and actions. And often those who suffer are not the same as those who caused the problem. Bob White will discuss how we might address disasters using both scientific and religious insights.