Science, Terrorism, and Natural Disasters

A committee under the co-chairmanship of Lewis Branscomb and Richard Klausner to explore the vulnerability of the United States and other Western nations will do well to consider how mitigating threats from terrorism could also serve to reduce the consequences of natural hazards, for the two are linked in some unexpected ways.

Abstract

Since the September 11 terror attacks, scientists and the policy community have focused on ways in which science might be applied toward reducing the risks or consequences of future attacks. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has appointed a committee under the co-chairmanship of Lewis Branscomb and Richard Klausner to explore the vulnerability of the United States and other Western nations. The committee will do well to consider how mitigating threats from terrorism could also serve to reduce the consequences of natural hazards, for the two are linked in some unexpected ways.