Subscribe now

THE world, we know, is growing more dangerous. The number and severity of natural disasters has increased since the 1960s. Population growth and poverty force more and more people to live in inadequate shelters in disaster-prone areas which makes hurricanes, floods and wildfires ever more deadly. This week, we have been watching relief efforts to help people left homeless and bereaved by an earthquake in Pakistan and a hurricane in Central America. Is this really the best we can do?

Stan was a category 1 hurricane, the least powerful, yet it may well have killed more people than hurricane Katrina,…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop