uncertainty

Geosciences Column: Spatial seismic hazard in western Indonesia – a new, adaptive, approach

Louisa Brotherson October 30, 2020

Riski boat in Risky Bali. Credit: David Fernández-Blanco (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

A Natural Hazards Earth System Sciences (NHESS) paper proposes a new sampling method for reducing uncertainty in geographical location in seismic hazard risk analysis, with implications for the insurance industry and risk communication in general. Globally, rapid urbanisation is increasing the risk of exposure of human populations and infrastructure to natural hazards, including earthquakes ...[Read More]

Geopolicy: How does scientific uncertainty translate into policy?

Chloe Hill January 26, 2018

Direction and uncertainty. Credit: Elis Alves (distributed via Flickr).

Scientific uncertainty is one of the only things in science that is certain. It’s found in complex modelling systems, in the unpredictability of natural processes and even when there seems to be scientific consensus, a new scientific discovery can recreate ambiguity. But how do policymakers deal with scientific uncertainty when they are making decisions? Policymakers deal with and use scientific u ...[Read More]

Geosciences Column: Using tall trees to tot up tropical carbon

Sara Mynott February 5, 2014

Forests in the tropics account for about half the above-ground carbon on Earth and as the trees grow older they are capable of storing more and more. In fact, their carbon-storing potential is so large that they are increasingly being viewed as a means of mitigating climate change. Take, for example, the United Nations effort to reduce degradation and deforestation by assigning value to forest car ...[Read More]