First Paragraph
Natural and man-made hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, storm surges, tsunamis, severe waves, red tides, earthquakes, environmental pollution, volcanic eruptions, and chemical pollution present global challenges that know no national or international boundaries and therefore present challenging and life-threatening problems to all the people of the world. In fact, unless conscious and dedicated efforts by all nations are developed and implemented, the lives and the quality of all people on earth are seriously and irreparably threatened.