The ways in which natural disasters have changed the world as we know it

The world has seen many natural disasters throughout the course of its existence, from landslides to wildfires and even tsunamis. These have greatly affected the way we live our lives, sometimes in drastic ways that even change our view of the world itself. This article will explore what some of these changes are and how they affect the way we live now, as well as the way we lived before the disaster occurred.

Natural Disasters Affect All People

Natural Disasters can affect all people and cause major changes to our lifestyles. They are unpredictable and often have life-altering consequences. They affect us economically, environmentally, socially, politically and emotionally. 

One of the most famous natural disasters is Hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans in 2005. It caused over 1 million people to relocate, flooded 80% of New Orleans, left more than 1500 people dead and $108 billion dollars worth of damage done. 

While this is a very catastrophic event and there were many negative impacts on society from this hurricane alone, there were some positive outcomes from Hurricane Katrina too. For example, some believe that because of the large number of African Americans who evacuated during Hurricane Katrina, they may be exercising their right to vote at higher rates today than before the storm. Additionally, after these events occurred in New Orleans, new policies for emergency management were put into place for future hurricanes.

Another well known natural disaster is Mount St Helens eruption in 1980 where 566 square miles of forest land was destroyed or severely damaged. Mount St Helens was a volcano located near Washington State that erupted after 123 years of dormancy causing an ash cloud as high as 37 kilometers above sea level.

Natural Disasters Can Strengthen Relationships

Natural disasters happen all around us, and they can have a significant impact on our lives. When people are evacuated due to an emergency, they are more likely to get out of their comfort zone and meet new people. What's more, these people will also meet others who are going through the same experience and may not be so different than them after all. In one case, a man was living with his parents in Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit. They were relocated to Baton Rouge with other evacuees and he met his future wife there, telling reporters It was like love at first sight. I looked over and I saw this beautiful woman across the room, he said. And she caught my eye too. So, for him, meeting his future wife was all thanks to being forced from home by Katrina. Even if you're not looking for love yourself, sometimes you'll find it during a time of crisis. That could be because you are more open to change and new experiences. That's what happened with a couple in China that had been married for 15 years without having any children before they found themselves facing evacuation due to flood waters in 2008. Upon arriving at the evacuation center, they quickly learned that 20 couples were waiting on fertility treatments, but none had success yet. Within two weeks of arriving at the center, the husband was successfully impregnated by artificial means using sperm retrieved from his testicle where it had remained safe within his body during the flooding. Once again, hardship brought opportunity.

Disasters Can Inspire Change

Most people would never think that a disaster could actually inspire change. But, there are numerous examples of this happening. For example, after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in 2005, significant changes were made to FEMA and many other agencies for hurricane preparedness. The fires that burned through Northern California last year also led to some changes with utility companies, like PG&E. And most recently, Puerto Rico's disaster recovery has been accelerated due to Hurricane Maria because of lessons learned from past storms - such as Haiti's earthquake and Hurricane Katrina. Disasters may cause devastation but they can lead to positive change too.

They bring out the worst and best in people

Natural disasters are inevitable and they bring out the worst and best in people. It's important to remember that despite how dark a situation may seem, there is always hope and a chance for better things. The aftermath of a tragedy can be seen through two lenses: those that were affected by it and those who aren't. There is no right or wrong way to react to an event like this, but taking care of yourself should be your first priority if you're able to do so. If you need support or just want to talk with someone, call one of the hotlines below . In some cases, talking about the experience will help ease any guilt or shame you might be feeling. Knowing that you're not alone is also very important. Whether it was Hurricane Katrina or Sandy, these events have all left their mark on our history and will continue to affect us in different ways moving forward. Even before the storm, some communities will be more vulnerable than others; yet even in the aftermath of such devastating events, communities come together to rebuild what has been lost. We cannot stop nature from doing what it does-these are just signs that remind us we must take care of ourselves and each other. We must use every opportunity we have to build bridges rather than barriers during times like these.

They can be part of positive change

Sometimes, a disaster can be an opportunity for positive change. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston, South Carolina with winds of 130 miles per hour and a storm surge of ten feet. The hurricane caused billions of dollars worth of damage and left people without homes or jobs. Despite this, the hurricane opened up many new business opportunities for those who were willing to take risks. It also helped revitalize Charleston's tourism industry by attracting more international visitors. 

Some disasters may bring about new awarenesses: Some disasters lead to greater public awarenesses about certain issues. One example is the aftermath of the BP Oil Spill in 2010. While some areas are still recovering from this event, oil prices did increase enough that drilling companies had to adopt more stringent safety standards. These standards now include placing a mechanical barrier around the drill site at all times so that no potential leaks will go undetected. Another good thing to come out of this disaster was the installation of new equipment on offshore rigs called Blowout Preventers (BOPs) which serve as barriers against any explosion happening at these sites. BOPs work by automatically sealing off any opening in the pipe should it rupture due to any sudden pressure changes, which would prevent any oil from spilling into the ocean.