Lecture 2 core

Asbestos has been proven to cause fatal disease after long term exposure. Factories in the UK showed initial warning signs (many sufferers of bronchial and lung problems) correlated with asbestos in the workplace. Issues were raised by female inspectors (due to the times were not given sufficient credibility of their work) Experiments with rats in 1911 confirmed the health risks and factory department pressed for the installation of exhausts 1928 Merewether and C.W. Price concluded that 66% of workers with 20+ years of service suffered from asbestosis - a likely underestimate as only current employees were examined. Studies post 1955 showed that cigarette smoke and asbestos = double whammy lung cancer. Mesothelioma (rare lunch lining cancer) was sucessfully atributed to asbestos in 1960, with very small exposure needed for high risk (months rather than years).

Policy impacts: 1931 policy was only partially enforced with only 2 prosecutions. 64-75 asbestos was high on the political agenda (uk) 79=Simpson report - pioneering for complete ban of asbestos.

What was learnt? Experiences of sufferers and medical personel should be taken seriously. Early warning signs should be followed up rigorously in order to minimize the dangers. long term monitoring rarely meets the short term needs therefore serperete institutions are needed for each. Laws and policies should be well enforced and implemented. Heed early warnings in order to minimize surprises. Economic factors - employers need for profit & employees need jobs, doesnt necessarily mean long-term success. Precautionary strategy is needed regardless of prior experiences. Healthy survivors does not diminish the risk. speedy, affordable and transparent compensation strategies are needed. A multi-disciplinary approach is best, in order to challenge the experts and get the most accurate reports leading to effective strategies. Anticipate surprises and implement methods of fully testing suggested substitutes.

Socio-ecological systems refer to social rules and institutions that regulate human resource utilization, and ecological systems refers to the biological and biophysical systems. In this context resilience described the  ability of a socio-ecological system to absorb a disturbance before the system radically changes state as well as the capacity to self-organise and adapt.Vulnerability is different and usually seen as susceptibility to harm.Key parameters of vulnerabilty: stress exhibted, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of a system.Prior to current vulnerability study was focused on lack of entitlements and natural hazards. Cutter (1996) - vulnerability is exposure and a social condition (measure of resilience) and the integration of potential exposure and societal resilience.

Vulnerability is seen at multiple levels and from different aspects, is some countries women are excluded from high earning roles increasing their vulnerability. If a farmer diversifies they could be reducing vulnerability.

Gee and Greenberg (2002)

Adger (2006)

Ostrom (2009)