Critical infrastructures refer to infrastructures that lay at the core in supporting day to day human activities making life comfortable (Macaulay, 2016). Theses infrastructures may include communication systems such as roads, water, air, railways, telephone, internet systems. They also include the medical system such as hospitals, housing facilities, which are basic components of life that may be taken for granted. The truth is that with the increasing natural calamities such as volcanic eruptions, floods, earthquakes, and other forms of calamities, the resilience of these infrastructures are now questionable and many are awakened to even more threatening realities like global warming that is likely to overturn the course of nature (Macaulay, 2016). The disasters can occur naturally or caused by human activities.
Natural disasters: Hawaii volcano eruption
Most of the threats combating critical infrastructure are caused by natural disasters. Recently, the Hawaii volcano eruptions hit the media with sad stories of people losing their property and homes due to the larval eruptions ( Harmon & Ramzy, 2018). The situation was so serious that those who visited the site to view had to shift roles and help the families that were being devastated by the volcano ( Harmon & Ramzy, 2018). Other natural disasters like the tsunami, tornadoes, and hurricanes devastate and unsettle huge populations thereby affecting their economic stability and social lives.
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Manmade Disasters: Terrorism
Terrorism is a present reality that is shaping economies, influencing legal institutions and affecting critical infrastructures as well ( Weinberg, 2015 ). For example, the World Trade Center attacks in 2001 saw the destruction of iconic buildings. Other terror activities around the world involving bombing of houses, railway stations, and many more critical infrastructures are manmade disasters. Other disasters may include fire out brakes, global warming because of human activities among others.
References
Macaulay, T. (2016). Critical infrastructure: understanding its component parts, vulnerabilities, operating risks, and interdependencies . New York, NY: CRC Press.
Weinberg, L. (2015). Global Terrorism : A Beginner’s Guide . New York, NY: One-World Publications
Harmon, A. & Ramzy, A. (2018). As Lava Flows in Hawaii, ‘This Is Not the Time for Sightseeing,’ Agency Warns. New York Times. June 26, 2018. Retrieved Jun. 29 2017 from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/us/hawaii-volcano-kilauea.html
