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Core/Synoptic Concepts Definitions

Terms in this set (17)

Resilience
The capacity of a system to experience shocks, while retaining essentially the same function, structure, feedbacks and identity.
Equilibrium
When the input of mass and/or energy is balanced by self-adjustment of the elements and variables in a system.
System
Understanding how those things (parts) which may be regarded as systems influence one another within a complete entity, or larger system (boundary).
Identity
Ways in which people connect to various places, and the effects such bonds in identity development, place-making, perception and practice. It's to do with belonging, meaning and attachment at a very personalised level.
Mitigation
The procedures, options and policies to reduce loss of life, infrastructure and property damage by lessening the spatial/temporal impact of disasters.
Adaptation
Seeks to lower the risks posed by consequences by using different technologies, processes, police etc to "live with it". Adaptive capacity is highly variable and often linked to economic resources and nature of existing physical constraints.
Risk
The probability that exposure to a hazard will lead to a negative consequence, or more simply, risk = hazard x vulnerability / context.
Threshold
When a relatively small stimulus within a system suddenly induces a rapid change or alteration of that system. Thresholds in systems are generally (critical) tipping points, after which the system shift radically and potentially irreversibly into a different equilibrium state.
Sustainability
Something that can be sustained over a long period of time. The influential 1987 Brundtland Report defines sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Interdependence
The recognition that our world is not in reality composed of nation-states operating in an international system, with a clear-cut distinction between the domestic political life of states and the international arena. Recognising that global governance is struggling to keep up with the pace and extent of economic globalisation, capital and trade flows, illegal and legal migration of people and technological change.
Inequality
When people, nations and non-state actors (ranging from TNCs to international agencies) have different levels of authority, competence and outcomes. Some actors and interests are more dominant than others. This can manifest itself in at least two ways - imaginatively and materially (the latter is the easiest way to see inequality).
Causality
The relationship between cause and effect. Recognising that a variety of processes result in change; they have impacts, which in turn have consequences.
Feedback
Feedback occurs when one element of a system changes because go an outside influence. This will upset the dynamic equilibrium, or state of balance, and affect other components in the system.
Negative Feedback
When a system acts by lessening the effect go the original change and ultimately reversing it.
Positive Feedback
Occurs within a system where a change causes a snowball effect, continuing or even accelerating the original change.
Representation
The cultural practices by which human societies interpret and portray the world around them and present themselves to others.
Vulnerability
The risk of exposure to hazards combined with an inability to cope with them.
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