Hazard & Risk Science Review

The 2006 edition of the annual publication, the Hazard & Risk Science Review, was published in September at the Monte Carlo Reinsurance Rendezvous.

Researched and edited by Professor Bill McGuire, director of the Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre (BUHRC) and jointly sponsored by Benfield and PartnerRe, the Hazard & Risk Science Review 2006 is a digest of over 75 scientific research papers published during the past 12 months focusing on the four major areas of natural hazards that are relevant to catastrophe (re)insurance – atmospheric, geological, hydrological, and climate change.

Professor McGuire commented: ‘The critical element of the report focuses on the issue of climate change and tropical cyclone activity. While there are detractors, an emerging consensus suggests that rising sea surface temperatures may be causing Atlantic hurricanes to become more intense over time. If a climate change signal is already becoming apparent then prospects for progressively increased losses, as the Earth continues to warm, are high.’

The Hazard & Risk Science Review 2006 is available online at www.benfieldhrc.org.