Words shape the way we think and act. To say that "disasters are natural" is to assert that they happen beyond any power we have to prevent them. That is an outright falsehood. The evidence shows that while the phenomena are natural, disasters result from human actions and decisions that increase the exposure and vulnerability of communities.

A few weeks ago, The Guardian published a video where its editor, Damian Carrington, explained why the expression “natural disasters” should be dropped from both the media and political discourse. Indeed there’s no such thing as a natural disaster and many organisations and researchers have been insisting on it for quite some time. However, the reasons provided by The Guardian are, in my view, inaccurate and, arguably, counterproductive. I wrote to Damian to express that. Here’s what I wrote that I believe clarifies why disasters are not natural.

The Scotsman Steps, an art installation by Martin Creed, transforms a functional staircase into a striking mosaic of ornamental stones from around the world. While celebrated for symbolizing Edinburgh's historical and global connections, the installation overlooks a deeper narrative. Each stone holds a geological story shaped by Earth's ancient forces. Recognizing this geodiversity could elevate the artwork from a historical statement to a reflection on humanity's fleeting presence against the vast timeline of the planet’s formation.

238 million years ago, a continental collision between the small Adriatic tectonic plate and the much larger European plate, would change the lives of the inhabitants of a small town in the Slovenian Alps from the 15th century onwards, and give name to one of the most famous characters of English literature.

In the Erz der Alpen UNESCO Global Geopark, geological heritage, pagan traditions and medieval beliefs transcend time to teach us about the impacts of climate change.