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Risk Management and Governance pp 17–20Cite as

Characteristics of Risks in the Modern World

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Part of the book series: Risk, Governance and Society ((RISKGOSO,volume 16))

Abstract

A number of driving forces have been identified that are shaping our modern world and have a strong influence on the risks we face (cf. OECD 2003a:10 ff.): The demographic development, including the increase of the world population, the growing population density and visible trends towards urbanisation accompanied by significant changes in the age structure of most industrial populations have lead to more vulnerabilities and interactions among natural, technological and habitual hazards. Demographic changes are also partially responsible for the strong interventions of human beings into the natural environment. Human activities, first of all the emission of greenhouse gases, may cause global warming and, as a consequence, place growing stress on ecosystems and human settlements. In addition, the likelihood of extreme weather events increases with the rise of average world temperatures.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Stavanger, 4036, Stavanger, Norway

    Prof. Terje Aven

  2. Institute of Social Sciences V and Environment, University of Stuttgart, Seidenstraße 36, 70174, Stuttgart, Germany

    Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ortwin Renn

Authors
  1. Prof. Terje Aven
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  2. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ortwin Renn
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Correspondence to Terje Aven .

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Aven, T., Renn, O. (2010). Characteristics of Risks in the Modern World. In: Risk Management and Governance. Risk, Governance and Society, vol 16. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13926-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13926-0_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-13925-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-13926-0

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