Wk11: Negative Environmental Effects

Definition of vulnerability 

A state of susceptibility to harm shaped by exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity within social‑ecological systems.

Three components of vulnerability 

Exposure + Sensitivity/Resilience + Adaptive Capacity.

Exposure definition 

The degree to which people or systems are physically located in harm’s way (e.g., floods, heatwaves).

Sensitivity/Resilience definition 

How strongly a system or population is affected by a hazard, shaped by social and structural inequalities.

Adaptive capacity definition 

Ability of a system or community to adjust, cope, or transform to reduce vulnerability.

Maladaptation definition 

Actions intended to reduce vulnerability that instead increase vulnerability for other groups or systems.

Five forms of maladaptation (Barnett & O’Neill) 

Increases emissions; burdens vulnerable groups; high opportunity costs; reduces incentives to adapt; creates path dependencies.

Why vulnerability is multi‑scalar 

It varies across neighbourhoods, cities, regions, and nations; shaped by processes operating across scales.

Why vulnerability is not just exposure 

Social factors (income, health, housing, governance) shape who is harmed most.

Critique: vulnerability ≠ powerlessness

 People labelled “vulnerable” often have agency, capacities, and community networks that support resilience.

Example of community resilience 

Western Sydney residents using mutual aid, cooling strategies, and advocacy to improve heat governance.

Governance and vulnerability 

Governance shapes exposure, resilience, and adaptation through state, market, and civil‑society actions.

Definition of environmental justice 

A framework addressing systemic causes of uneven environmental harms and unequal access to environmental benefits.

Four principles of environmental justice (Schlosberg) 

Distribution, Recognition, Participation, Capabilities.

Distributive justice definition

Fair distribution of environmental goods and bads across people and places.

Recognition justice definition 

Respecting and valuing marginalised identities; addressing stigma and status hierarchies.

Capabilities justice definition 

Ensuring people have the real freedoms and capacities to live flourishing lives.

Procedural justice definition 

Fair and inclusive decision‑making processes; addressing power imbalances.

Example: Northern Rivers vulnerability (study 1) 

Quantitative mapping shows socio‑economic disadvantage concentrated in flood‑exposed areas.

Example: Northern Rivers resilience (study 2) 

Qualitative research shows strong community‑led disaster response networks and local knowledge.