Floods and Their Impact on Humanity

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary impacts of floods on human lives?

Historical loss of life (correct)

Increased property values

Improved emergency response times

Decreased community interaction

Which of the following was a consequence of the floods mentioned?

Construction of new roads

Closure of Pasni Airport (correct)

Restoration of public transport

Increase in tourism

How do floods disrupt businesses according to the impacts listed?

By increasing the number of customers

By boosting local economies

By causing fewer transport routes (correct)

By enhancing employee productivity

Which of the following is NOT one of the mentioned floods in mythology?

Tdiki flood legend Signup and view all the answers

What narrative is associated with the flood legend of Manu in Indian mythology?

A fish warning a man about a flood Signup and view all the answers

In Greek mythology, who is noted for mentioning floods in the fifth century B.C.?

Pindar Signup and view all the answers

What significant impact did the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 have?

It was one of the most powerful floods of the 1900s Signup and view all the answers

Which action did authorities take in response to the flooding mentioned?

Deployed local authority teams Signup and view all the answers

What main crop was essential for the rural population of Ireland before the blight?

Potatoes Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the potato crop was affected by potato blight in 1845?

33% to 50% Signup and view all the answers

What was the immediate economic effect of the potato blight in 1845?

Inflation of potato prices Signup and view all the answers

How did farmers react to the blight during the spring of 1846?

They planted even more potatoes Signup and view all the answers

What does 'demography' primarily study in relation to the impacts of the famine?

Population dynamics Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant consequence of the poor harvests between 1846 and 1847 in Ireland?

Starvation and emigration Signup and view all the answers

How did the appearance of potato fields suffering from blight change?

They were filled with withered black stalks Signup and view all the answers

What role might scientists play during a situation of crop failure due to disease?

Developing disease-resistant crops Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of educational policy in relation to language proficiency?

It enhances native language proficiency among students. Signup and view all the answers

What historical significance does the Epic of Gilgamesh hold?

It is a long Babylonian epic written in cuneiform. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the term 'infrastructure'?

It encompasses the basic structure or features of a system or organization. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'jurisdiction' refer to in a legal context?

The legal power or authority of a court to hear cases. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a levee?

It is an embankment built to prevent flooding from a river. Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant consequence of emigration during the Irish famine?

The population decreased by approximately 3 million. Signup and view all the answers

How did land inheritance practices change after the famine in Ireland?

Farms were typically passed intact to one son. Signup and view all the answers

What demographic process was significantly affected due to the famine?

Mass emigration. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the famine have on the Irish language?

There was a sharp decline in Irish speakers. Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic process contributed to the population drop other than emigration?

Widespread illness and death. Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason young families emigrated from Ireland during the famine?

Hope for better economic opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

How did the famine affect farming practices regarding land subdivision?

Farmers ceased the practice of sub-dividing land. Signup and view all the answers

What year had the number of Irish speakers fallen to 24 percent?

1861 Signup and view all the answers

What does the painting 'The Pinch of Poverty' depict?

A small girl selling flowers with her mother. Signup and view all the answers

How does poverty particularly affect children?

It keeps them out of school. Signup and view all the answers

Why are women and children particularly vulnerable to poverty?

They often earn lower incomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Thames Flood Barrier?

To prevent flooding from the River Thames Signup and view all the answers

Which disaster prompted the construction of the Delta Works in the Netherlands?

The 1953 flood Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Zakah in Islam?

To help reduce poverty. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of governments investing more in war missions than in welfare?

Worsened social conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What unique challenge does the Delta Works face regarding climate change?

Constructing higher defenses due to rising sea levels Signup and view all the answers

How are the levees on the Mississippi River designed?

To prevent flooding from high river discharges Signup and view all the answers

How can government child nutrition programs assist in reducing poverty?

They ensure children receive necessary nutrition. Signup and view all the answers

What has been maintained by the international community since the 1970s to manage food shortages?

Famine early warning systems and food reserves. Signup and view all the answers

What proportion of the Netherlands lies below sea level?

More than half Signup and view all the answers

What impact does armed conflict have on food production?

It can lead to food shortages due to reduced farming. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a goal of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals related to hunger?

To eliminate food waste worldwide Signup and view all the answers

What does climate change imply for the future of flood defense structures like the Delta Works?

They must be built higher to cope with rising sea levels Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of global hunger is prioritized by the United Nations for the 21st century?

Reducing the proportion of hungry people Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter Five: Global Disasters

Floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, wars, and random incidents of violence, hunger, and poverty are major global challenges
This chapter focuses on floods and hunger as significant human disasters

Lesson 1: Introduction to Floods

Flooding is the overflowing of water onto normally dry land
Floods often result from heavy rainfall exceeding a natural watercourse's capacity
Flood damage varies yearly and is affected by severity and location
Flash floods are the most dangerous type, occurring quickly and with little warning
Other floods can last days, weeks, or longer
Floods have both positive (e.g., drought relief), and negative impacts (e.g., property damage and loss of life)
Floods are a costly natural disaster, especially in Australia

Lesson 1: Types of Floods

Floods are broadly classified as Natural Floods and Catastrophic Floods
Natural floods are caused by the overflow of a large volume of water (rivers, lakes, oceans).

Lesson 1: Coastal Flooding

Natural flooding can result from ocean storms raising sea levels, causing coastal flooding
Tsunamis, caused by volcanoes, landslides, etc., create high sea waves, often devastating when they hit the shore.
Tsunami waves flow straight, unlike typical wind waves, which flow in circles, creating significant damage

Lesson 2: Examples of Major Floods

Some floods are purely mythological, like stories in the Middle East, Asia, etc.
The Epic of Gilgamesh includes a Mesopotamian flood legend
Greek mythology recounts a flood, with figures like Manu
The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was a powerful natural disaster, flooding over 27,000 square miles, and displacing over 700,000 people, resulting in several deaths and extensive property damage
The North Sea Flood of 1953 was one of the worst floods in Northern Europe
The Big Thompson Canyon Flood of 1976 caused significant property damage and loss of life due to rapid river rise due to heavy rainfall

Lesson 2: Hurricane Katrina of 2005

Hurricane Katrina caused levee and floodwall failures in New Orleans, leading to significant flooding
Over 1.7 million people lost power due to the storm, and severe economic disruption occurred

Lesson 3: Examples of Flood Prevention Innovations

Historical flood protection efforts include Nilometers, built in 715 AD to measure and record Nile River water levels
Modern innovations such as the Thames Flood Barrier in London control River Thames flooding

Lesson 3: The Delta Works

The Netherlands developed Delta Works to prevent significant flood disasters from happening again
The Dutch government developed a series of flood control structures due to the geographical location of half the country being below sea level

Lesson 3: Levees on The Mississippi River

Levees along the Mississippi River are crucial in preventing flooding
These levees represent one of the world's largest flood prevention systems

Lesson 4: Global Hunger

Hunger is a significant global issue, with 925 million people suffering from malnutrition and facing hunger-related deaths
Hunger is largely tied to poverty, with low wages hindering food access for families
Factors like poor agricultural infrastructure, war conflicts, extreme poverty, environmental problems all contribute to hunger

Lesson 4: Hunger and Nutrition

Under-nourishment is defined by the United Nations as inadequate calorie intake for active living
Malnutrition includes insufficient intake of vitamins, minerals, etc., potentially leading to health issues
Malnutrition can lead to difficulties with growth, disease resistance, work efficiency and even risks during pregnancy for women

Lesson 4: Geography of Hunger

Many people throughout the world experience chronic hunger stemming from poverty
Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America have the highest numbers of hungry people

Lesson 5: Hunger Causes and Solutions

Poverty, natural disasters, and war are significant causes of hunger
Severe poverty and lack of resources affect the accessibility of healthy and nutritious food
Malnutrition and hunger lead to many problems across the world.

Lesson 5: International Actions

The international community has established systems for managing food shortages and preventing famines
Organizations such as the World Food Programme try to provide food aid and support

Lesson 6: The Irish Great Famine of 1845

The Irish Great Famine was a major crisis of hunger in Ireland caused by a potato blight in the mid-1840s
Ireland's dominant food source, potatoes, was negatively affected by the blight
The crisis led to mass emigration, reduced population, economic devastation, and social impact

Lesson 6: The Great Hunger

The Irish Great Famine caused hardship, with rising prices for potatoes
The blight drastically reduced Ireland's potato crop for years, reducing food availability, leading to major starvation and death
The famine impacted various Irish aspects (political, economic, social, and demographic)

Lesson 6: Impacts from The Famine

The famine led to an increase in emigration from Ireland and a severe decrease in the rural population
The Irish language (Gaelic) significantly declined due to the famine and losses of local speakers.

Terms and Vocabulary

Key terms and their definitions are given, such as Epic of Gilgamesh, Gaelic, Jurisdiction, Infrastructure, Levee, Niagara Falls, and others.

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Description

This quiz explores the various effects of floods on human lives, businesses, and mythology. It includes questions on historical floods, impacts on agriculture, and responses from authorities, as well as some aspects of demographic studies related to famine. Test your knowledge on these significant events and their long-lasting consequences.