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Natural Environment

wildfire smoke in mountains

Our natural environment is ever-changing as geophysical processes and human activities shape how landscapes and ecosystems evolve. To build resilient communities, we must consider what resilient environments look like. This environment includes all organisms (plants, animals, and humans) who depend on one another for survival and whose relationships are mediated by competition for resources. Under this pillar we consider research related to the health of our planet, natural resources, natural hazards, risk, risk reduction, and climate change.

Example Research Topics

  • Assessing the causes and consequences of geophysical or climate-related hazards
  • Conducting Risk assessments
  • Studies related to disaster risk perception and preparedness behavior
  • Investigating the efficacy of sustainable environmental practices

HCRI Pillars

Built Environment  Health & Well-being  Economy & Society

The HCRI research pillars capture the interconnection between and amongst disciplines, highlighting the dynamic and multifaceted nature of community resilience. Our goal in promoting these pillars is the foster connections and collaborations between disciplines and across sectors.

Natural Environment

The health of our plance, natural resources natural hazards, risk, risk education, and climate change.

Economy and Society

Economic and social conditions that (1) allow communities to prepare for, respond to and recover form adverse natural events and economic shocks, and (2) foster thriving, healthy communities.

Built Environment

Reliability and strength of critical infrastructure (communications, power grid, buildings built to hazard code), and systems faciliators or inhibitors to improve or build stronger infrastructure (e.g., capital, policy).

Health and Well-being

Environmental and social conditions that foster healthy thriving communities.