Natural catastrophes have an adverse, usually disastrous, effect on people and/or the environment. Hurricane Katrina and the Boxing Day Tsunami are just two examples that have highlighted the impact of these events. This session will highlight the role of scientists in the insurance industry and how their research can assist (a) in the reduction and sharing of risk at local, regional and global levels, in particular with regards to public policy, and (b) the application of catastrophe management in a commercial environment when trying to provide estimates of financial (and humanitarian) consequences.

This session therefore welcomes abstract submissions that explore the current and future applications of natural hazard risk assessment both for public policy and in a commercial environment. From catastrophe models to risk indices, scientists provide the critical link between theory and practice. Examples of scientific contributions we welcome include the spatial distribution of exposure, the potential losses, and the subsequent transfer, spread, and management of risk.

We encourage submissions from both the social and natural sciences and the presentation of new research, with the intention of stimulating debate and discussion, engaging multiple disciplines. We foresee a lively combination of oral and poster presentations, discussions, and a splinter room meeting associated with the scientific session.