Given what we are seeing in the AUS brushfires, do we need to start considering threats of species extinction when we determine what is a “major disaster” or catastrophic events? Currently, when we talk about what is a disaster, we quantify it through human impacts: a) deaths b)injuries, c) evacuees, d) $ amt of property damage. If yes, then the question is how do we calculate impacts on species, and who might do that (ie – Nat Fish/Wildlife in the US)?
Saying the phrase “extinction event” is still theoretical to the general public, but may not be in 2-5 yrs. It may make sense to start to develop definitions for and ways to measure these consequences, then incorporate them into our Risk calculations.
From Brassville to... (working title) 