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<br />Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 98 <br />• Incident catalyst: Protests and incidents may be caused be a person or persons concerned <br />about the future impacts of climate change. <br />• Resource scarcity: Climate change can exacerbate competition for resources such as water and <br />food, potentially leading to social unrest and conflicts that could escalate into human-caused <br />hazards like civil unrest or terrorism. <br />• Migration and displacement: Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other climate- <br />related factors can force populations to migrate or become displaced. Displaced populations <br />may face social, economic, and political challenges that contribute to instability and increase the <br />likelihood of human-caused hazards. <br />• Infrastructure vulnerability: Climate change can increase the vulnerability of critical <br />infrastructure to damage from extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, or wildfires. <br />This damage can disrupt essential services and create conditions that are conducive to human- <br />caused hazards. <br />• Changing patterns of disease: Climate change can alter the geographic distribution and <br />prevalence of diseases, potentially leading to public health crises that strain healthcare systems <br />and social stability, contributing to human-caused hazards. <br />While climate change itself is not a direct cause of human-caused hazards, its complex interactions with <br />socio-economic and environmental factors can create conditions that increase the likelihood or severity <br />of such hazards. <br />3.14.7 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT <br />3.14.7.1 People <br />Children and youth may lack the awareness, experience, or physical capabilities to respond effectively <br />during emergencies such as active shooter incidents or civil unrest. They are also at increased risk of <br />physical injury, psychological trauma, disrupted education, and long-term emotional effects due to <br />exposure to violence or dangerous situations. Elderly individuals and those with disabilities may have <br />limited mobility, sensory impairments, or chronic health conditions that hinder their ability to evacuate <br />or seek safety during emergencies. This population also has a higher likelihood of physical harm, <br />exacerbation of existing health conditions, and increased dependency on caregivers or emergency <br />services during and after human-caused hazards. Minority and immigrant communities may face an <br />increased risk of being targeted in hate crimes, limited access to timely and accurate information, and <br />challenges in accessing support services or legal protection. <br />3.14.7.2 Property <br />Critical infrastructure such as power plants, water treatment facilities, transportation hubs (airports, <br />train stations), and communication networks essential for societal functioning may be targeted as <br />disruption to these systems can have cascading effects on public safety, health, and economic stability. <br />Government buildings such as courthouses, legislative centers, and civic centers represent symbols of <br />authority, governance, and democracy and attacks on these can lead to physical damage, loss of critical <br />records, disruption of government services, and psychological impact on the community and workforce. <br />Locations where large numbers of people gather, such as stadiums, concert halls, shopping malls, and