UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
CSO 595: NATURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS
LECTURER: Prof. Mauri Yambo SEMESTER: Sept-Dec 2008
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To give students a comprehensive view of different categories of hazards, and to stress the presence of the human hand in many "natural" hazards. Focus on the human hand naturally prompts an explication of regulations aimed at minimizing risk; as well as management structures, procedures and techniques designed to cope with hazardous technologies, or the hazardous products and by-products of the technologies, substances and processes which are an integral part of the workings of contemporary society.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Detailed taxonomy and study of all major natural and technological ('Man-Made') hazards -- substances as well as potential and actual occurrences. Matrix of disaster phases and range of stakeholders, specifying their roles and responsibilities during each phase. The human hand in major 'natural' disasters and environmental stress. Analysis of the annual global production and distribution and use of the most hazardous substances: by quantity; monetary value; companies involved; modes of transporting and storing the ingredients, intermediates and finished substances; and type of risk at every stage. Specification of high-risk technologies, toxic chemical substances (such as pesticides) and their intermediates, as well as processes, systems and modalities that pose potential or actual danger to identified African countries or regions. A discussion of the citizens' need and right to know of the danger posed to their lives, lifestyles, and property by routine activities of manufacturers, distributors, transporters, and retailers; and by the acts of omission or commission by government regulatory authorities. Inquiry into how the need and right have been articulated in different countries. A chronology of major natural and technological disasters and emergencies, and the lessons to be drawn from them in terms of prevention, prediction (early warning), response/relief, and medium- to long-term recovery/rehabilitation. 1 unit.
I. KEY CONCEPTS
Community Disaster Emergency Entitlement
Environmentalism Hazard Pollution Recycling
Resilience Risk Sustainability Technology
Terrorism Tragedy of the Commons Vulnerability
Waste.
II. DISASTER TYPOLOGIES: NATURAL, HUMAN-CAUSED/
TECHNOLOGICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, BIOLOGICAL
II. 1. NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS
II. 1. 1. Geologic/Geo-Tectonic
1. Earthquakes
2. Landslides
3. Volcanic Eruptions
4. Tsunamis.
II. 1. 2. Climatic/Metereological
1. Drought
2. Floods (El Nino)
3. Storms: e.g. Tropical Cyclones, Tornadoes
4. Fires: Forest and Bush Fires, Urban Fires..
II. 2. HUMAN-CAUSED/TECHNOLOGICAL
1. Poverty, Hunger and Famine
2. Terrorism, Criminal Action, Sabotage, Negligence
3. Genocide, War, Ethnic/Religious Clashes
4. Land-mines, Cluster Bombs
5. Energy Crisis
6. WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction): Biological, Chemical, Nuclear, Radiological, etc.
7 Mass Displacement of People.
8. See also Chemical, Industrial and Transportation Accidents (below)
II. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL
1. Pollution and Waste (agricultural, industrial; rural, urban): acid rain, ozone depletion, waste disposal, etc.
2. Deforestation
3. Desertification
4. Pest Infestation
II.4. EPIDEMICS/PANDEMICS
1. Disease/Epidemics: HIV/Aids, Malaria, Cholera, TB, Ebola, Meningococcal Meningitis, Typhoid, Typhus,
Hepatitis, River Blindness, Yellow Fever, and SARS; Rinderpest, Anthrax, East Coast Fever, Foot-and-
Mouth disease, etc.
II.5. CHEMICAL, INDUSTRIAL AND TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENTS
1. Accidents: Plant/Industrial, Chemical and Nuclear Accidents (Spills, Releases, Breakdown, Failure,
Outbreaks)
2. Transportation/Vehicular Accidents (land, sea, pipeline, air or space)
III. SELECTED THEORIES AND MODELS OF EMERGENCY/ DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
The “Therapeutic” Community
Sustainable Development Theory Environmentalism
Theory of Industrial Metabolism The APELL Method1
Epidemiology
Sen’s ‘Entitlement’ Theory of Famine and its Application to Poverty and Access
IV. WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
IV. WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
▸ An Overview of Waste Disposal Systems in Rural and Urban Environments
▸ Hazardous Waste Management (HWM): HWM Systems
▸ Regulations and Regulatory Authorities.
V. GLOBAL PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF HIGH-RISK
TECHNOLOGIES AND SUBSTANCES
▸ Specification of high-risk technologies and substances
▸ Analysis of recent data.
VI. REGULATORY REGIMES AND CITIZENS' RIGHTS
▸ Regulatory authorities and patterns of regulation
▸ Articulation of Citizen's Need and Right to Know, and Right Not to Be Put in Harm's Way (Right to Safety
and/or Healthful Living): A Critical Look at the Evidence..
VII. CASE STUDIES OF SELECTED NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS
[To be Selected From the Following, Class Size to Determine the Number of
Cases Actually Studied]
VII. 1. Geologic/Geo-Tectonic Hazards and Disasters
1. Earthquakes: Bhuj (India), Turkey, Bam (Iran), Japan, China
2. Landslides (Kenya, China)
3. Volcanic Eruptions (Goma in DRC, Philippines, USA, Italy)
4. Tsunamis (Pacific Ream and Indian Ocean Rim): Focus The Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 26,
2004.
VII. 2. Climatic Hazards and Disasters
1. Drought in Africa: Sahel, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya
2. Floods: Kenya, China, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Europe, India, Myanmar
3. Tropical Cyclones and Hurricanes: USA, Cuba, Myanmar, India
4. Urban, Forest and Bush Fires: Australia, USA, Kenya..
VIII. CASE STUDIES OF SELECTED HUMAN-CAUSED (TECHNOLOGICAL)
AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS
[Class size will determine the number of cases actually studied]
VIII. 1. Human-Caused or Technological
1. Pollution, Waste and Contamination (of water, air, soil/land and/or food): pesticides, global warming,
garbage/waste disposal, noise pollution.
2. Deforestation (Africa and South America): Particular Focus – The Mau Complex, the Congo Forest and
the Amazon Forest
3. Poverty, Hunger and Famine (Africa, Asia)
4. Terrorism: Nairobi and Dar-Es-Salaam bomb-blasts (August 7, 1998), U.S. (9/11), global cyber-
terrorism.
5. Genocide, War, Ethnic/Religious Clashes: Rwanda, Algeria, Kenya, Turkey, Kosovo
6. Land-mines (Mozambique, Angola, Kosovo, etc.)
7. Energy Crisis: Kenya, USA, World
8. WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction): Global
9. Accidents: Plant/Industrial and Transportation: Focus on Bhopal, Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez, and
selected transportation/conveyance accidents or accident-types (such as the Mtongwe Ferry Accident and
Pipeline Explosions/Fires in Nigeria)
10. Mass Exodus/Influx of Refugees and IDPs (Africa)
11. Collapse of Built Structures: Kenya, Egypt, Turkey, USA, South Korea, Germany.
VIII. 2. Environmental and Epidemic/Pandemic
1. Desertification (Sahel) [Desertification is, at least in part, human-caused]
2. The Environmental Mandates of UNEP and NEMA
3. Disease Epidemics/Pandemics: HIV/Aids, Malaria, Cholera, Ebola, Typhoid, Hepatitis, River Blindness
and SARS.
IX. SUMMING UP
▸ Summary of course content
▸ Main lessons learned.
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READING LIST
I. KEY CONCEPTS
Kohler, Gus. 1995. titled "What Disaster Response Management Can Learn From Chaos theory" (mimeo
form the Internet).
Mol, Arthur P.J. and Gert Spaargaren. 1993. "Environment, Modernity and the Risk-Society: The
Apocalyptic Horizon of Environmental Reform," pp. 431-459, in International Sociology. Vol. 8, No. 4,
December 1993
Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator. 1984. Disaster Prevention and
Mitigation: A Compendium of Current Knowledge. Volume 11: Preparedness Aspects. New York:
United Nations.
Perrin, Pierre. 1996. War and Public Health: A Handbook. Geneva: International Committee of the Red
Cross. [Touches on many concepts, such as: communicable diseases, development, disaster, epidemiology,
health-care system, mental trauma, surgical triage, vulnerability, well-being]
Reed, Sheila. 1997. Introduction to Hazards. 3rd Edition. New York?: UNDP Disaster
Management Training Programme.
USAID (Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance). 1997. Introduction to Disaster
Management. Rev. Edition. Washington, D.C. ?: USAID. [See especially: Instructor Guide, pp. 1-1 to 5-
10; Participant Workbook, pp. WB 1-1 to WB 5-5; and Reference Material, pp. G-1 to G-11 and M-1
to M-4]
II. DISASTER TYPOLOGIES: NATURAL VERSUS HUMAN-CAUSED OR TECHNOLOGICAL
Blaikie, Piers, Terry Cannon, Ian Davis and Ben Wisner. 1994. At Risk: Natural Hazards,
People's Vulnerability, and Disasters. London: Routledge.
Nash, Jay R. 1976. Darkest Hours: A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters From Ancient
Times to the Present. Chicago: Nelson-Hall.
Perrin, Pierre. 1996. War and Public Health: A Handbook. Geneva: International Committee of the Red
Cross.
Petak, William J., Ed. 1983. Emergency Management: A Challenge for Public Administration.
Public Administration Review. Vol 45, Special Issue, January 1983.
Reed, Sheila. 1997. Introduction to Hazards. 3rd. Edition. New York?: UNDP Disaster
Management Training Programme.
USAID (Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance). 1997. Introduction to Disaster
Management. Rev. Ed. Washington, D.C.?: USAID. [See pages specified above]
III. SELECTED THEORIES AND MODELS OF EMERGENCY/ DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Ayres, Robert U. 1994. “Industrial Metabolism: Theory and Policy,” pp. 3-20, in Robert U. Ayres
and Udo E. Simonis, eds, Industrial Metabolism: Restructuring for Sustainable Development. Tokyo,
New York and Paris: United Nations University Press [HD 75.6 .I54]
Blaikie, Piers, Terry Cannon, Ian Davis and Ben Wisner. 1994. At Risk: Natural Hazards,
People's Vulnerability, and Disasters. London: Routledge.
Buchanan-Smith, Margaret and Susanna Davies. 1995. Famine Early Warning and Response: The
Missing Link. London: Intermediate Technology Publication.
Conway, Gordon R. and Jules N. Pretty. 1991. Unwelcome Harvest: Agriculture and Pollution. London:
Earthscan Publications, 1991. ISBN: 1-85383-036-4
Elliott, Jennifer A. 1994. An Introduction to Sustainable Development: The Developing World. London
and New York: Routledge.
Husar, Rudolf B. 1994. “Ecosystem and the Biosphere: Metaphors for Human-Induced Material
Flows,” pp. 21-30, in Robert U. Ayres and Udo E. Simonis, eds, Industrial Metabolism: Restructuring
for Sustainable Development. Tokyo, New York and Paris: United Nations University Press [HD
75.6 .I54]
Jonassohn, Kurt. 1995. "Genocidal Governments Create Famine", pp. 59-66, in Scott Barbour and William
Dudley, Eds. Hunger. San Diego, Ca: Greenhaven Press.
Kasperson, Roger E. and K. David Pijawka. 1985. "Societal Response to Hazards and Major Hazard
Events: Comparing Natural and Technological Hazards," pp. 7-18, in Public Administration Review, Vol.
45, Special Issue, January 1985. [Has interesting discussion on The Therapeutic Community]
Kates, Robert W. 1995. "Wars Are the Primary Cause of Famine", pp. 54-8, in Scott Barbour and William
Dudley, Eds. Hunger. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press.
Khasiani, Shanyisa A. (Ed.). 1992. Groundwork: African Women as Environmental Managers. Nairobi:
ACTS Press.
Lomborg, Bjorn. 1998. The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Available in the Main Library (JKML) – GE 149 .L65]
McLoughlin, David. 1985. "A Framework for Integrated Emergency Management", pp. 165-72, in Public
Administration Review. Vol. 45, Special Issue, January 1985.
Mol, Arthur P.J. and Gert Spaargaren. 1993. "Environment, Modernity and the Risk-Society: The
Apocalyptic Horizon of Environmental Reform," pp. 431-459, in International Sociology. Vol. 8, No. 4,
December 1993
Perrin, Pierre. 1996. War and Public Health: A Handbook. Geneva: International Committee of the Red
Cross. [See his discussion of epidemiology, pp. 241-297]
Petak, William J. 1985. "Emergency Management: A Challenge for Public Administration" pp. 3-7 in Public
Administration Review. Vol. 45, Special Issue, January 1985.
Quammen, David. 1997. "Archipelago Earth", p. 58, in Time Special Issue, November 1997
Reed, Sheila. 1997. Introduction to Hazards. 3rd Edition. New York?: UNDP Disaster
Management Training Programme [see her comments on the APELL Method].
Republic of Kenya. 1996. Social Dimensions of Development: Revised Approach to Human- Centred
Development and Targeted Poverty Interventions. Nairobi: Government Printer.
Republic of Kenya. 2000. Kenya National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan, 2000-2005. Nairobi: National Aids
Control Council (Office of the President).
Republic of Kenya. 2001. National Policy on Disaster Management. Revised Draft. Nairobi: Office of the
President.
Sen, Amartya. 1987. Research for Action: Hunger and Entitlements. Helsinki: World Institute
for Development Economics Research, United Nations University [Ids. HV 696 .F6S46]
Sigot, Asenath J. 1995. "Discourse on Gender and Natural Resource Management", pp. 1-13, in Asenath J.
Sigot, Lori Ann Thrupp and Jennifer Green (Eds.), Towards Common Ground: Gender and Natural
Resource Management in Africa. Nairobi: ACTS Press.
Stroup, Richard and Jane Shaw. 1996?. "How Free Markets Protect the Environment." [Available at:
Timberlake, Lloyd. 1985. Africa in Crisis: The Causes, The Cures of Environmental Bankruptcy.
London: Earthscan.
Tovey, Hilary. 1993. "Environmentalism in Ireland: Two Versions of Development and
Modernity." International Sociology. Vol. 8, No. 4, December 1993, pp. 413-430.
UNDP. 1995. Poverty Eradication: A Policy Framework for Country Strategies. New York: UNDP.
Walker, Peter. 1989. Famine Early Warning Systems: Victims and Destitution. London:
Earthscan Publications.
Wamalwa, Betty Nafuna. 1991. "Indigenous Knowledge and Ecological Management", pp.35-49, in Amos
Kiriro and Calestous Juma (Eds.), Gaining Ground: Institutional Innovations in Land-Use Management
in Kenya. Nairobi: ACTS.
WCED (World Commission on Environment and Development). 1987. Our Common Future. Oxford:
Oxford University Press. [Has an important definition of sustainable development]
www.ncpa.org/studies/s201/s201a.html [see s201a.html to s201e.html]
Yambo, Mauri. 1997. Poverty Reduction and Employment Creation. Nairobi: UNDP.
IV. WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Conway, Gordon R. and Jules N. Pretty. 1991. Unwelcome Harvest: Agriculture and Pollution. London:
Earthscan Publications, 1991. ISBN: 1-85383-036-4]
Lindgren, Gary F. 1983. Guide to Managing Industrial Hazardous Waste. Boston: Butterworths (Ann
Arbor Science Imprint) [See Section 1: Basics (pp. 3-50); and Section 4: Selected Considerations in
Implementing a Hazardous Waste Management Program (pp. 173-228)].
United Nations Environment Programme. 1990. Environmental Guidelines for Handling, Treatment and
Disposal of Hazardous Wastes. Environmental Management Guidelines, No. 18. Nairobi: UNEP.
V. GLOBAL PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF HIGH-RISK
TECHNOLOGIES AND SUBSTANCES
Conway, Gordon R. and Jules N. Pretty. 1991. Unwelcome Harvest: Agriculture and Pollution. London:
Earthscan Publications. ISBN: 1-85383-036-4
Elliott, Jennifer A. 1994. An Introduction to Sustainable Development: The Developing World. London
and New York: Routledge.
Lindgren, Gary F. 1983. Guide to Managing Industrial Hazardous Waste. Boston: Butterworths (Ann
Arbor Science Imprint) [See Section 1: Basics (pp. 3-50)].
United Nations Environment Programme. 1990. Environmental Guidelines for Handling, Treatment and
Disposal of Hazardous Wastes. Environmental Management Guidelines, No. 18. Nairobi: UNEP.
Consult Relevant Web Pages (using the Google Search Engine)
VI. REGULATORY REGIMES AND CITIZENS' RIGHTS.
Conway, Gordon R. and Jules N. Pretty. 1991. Unwelcome Harvest: Agriculture and Pollution. London:
Earthscan Publications. [See, especially, pp. 105-106, 522-531]
Lindgren, Gary F. 1983. Guide to Managing Industrial Hazardous Waste. Boston: Butterworths (Ann
Arbor Science Imprint).
Stroup, Richard and Jane Shaw. 1996?. "How Free Markets Protect the Environment." [Available at:
United Nations Environment Programme. 1990. Environmental Guidelines for Handling, Treatment and
Disposal of Hazardous Wastes. Environmental Management Guidelines, No. 18. Nairobi: UNEP.
VII - VIII. CASE STUDIES OF SELECTED HAZARDS AND DISASTERS
Africa Watch. 1993. Landmines in Angola. New York: Human Rights Watch. [Includes: History of conflict
in Angola, the technical side of minelaying, the human and socio-economic impact, mine clearance efforts,
and landmines in international law.]
Barbour, Scott and William Dudley, Eds. 1995. Hunger. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press.
Blanc, Cristina Szanton. 1994. "Introduction", pp. 1-53, in Cristina Szanton Blanc, ed. Urban Children in
Distress: Global Predicaments and Innovative Strategies (a UNICEF publication). Yverdon,
Switzerland: Gordon and Breach Science Publishers.
Conway, Gordon R. and Jules N. Pretty. 1991. Unwelcome Harvest: Agriculture and Pollution. London:
Earthscan Publications.
GOK/UNICEF. 1992. Children and Women in Kenya: A Situation Analysis 1992. Nairobi: UNICEF
Kenya Country Office.
Gradwohl, Judith, and Russel Greenberg. 1988. Saving the Tropical Forests. London: Earthscan
Publications.
Grainger, Alan. 1990. The Threatening Desert: Controlling Desertification. London: Earthscan
Publications.
Ince, Martin. 1990.The Rising Seas. London: Earthscan Publications.
McCormick, John. 1990. Acid Earth: The Global Threat of Acid Pollution. London: Earthscan
Publications.
Reed, Sheila. 1993. Introduction to Hazards. 3rd Edition. New York?: UNDP Disaster
Management Training Programme.
Republic of Kenya. 1998. National Guidelines for Health Workers: Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
of Malaria. Nairobi: Ministry of Health.
Republic of Kenya. 1998. Nairobi Bomb Blast Report. Nairobi: GOK (24 pp.)
Timberlake, Lloyd. 1985. Africa in Crisis: The Causes, The Cures of Environmental Bankruptcy.
London: Earthscan.
Weir, David. 1987. The Bhopal Syndrome: Pesticides, Environment and Health. London: Earthscan
Publications
Do Web Search using Google.
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