The Handbookprovides a comprehensive statement and reference point for hazard and disaster research, policy making, and practice in an international and multi-disciplinary context. Specifically, it aims to provide critical reviews and appraisals of the current state of the art and future development of conceptual, theoretical and practical approaches as well as empirical knowledge and available tools. One intention is to encourage dialogue across disciplinary barriers among notions of #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;disaster risk reduction#xE2;#xAC;" and #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;vulnerability#xE2;#xAC;" (central concepts within the hazards and disaster community), #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;climate change adaptation#xE2;#xAC;" and #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;sustainable livelihood security#xE2;#xAC;" (core notions underlying much work within the climate and environmental studies community), and #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;poverty reduction#xE2;#xAC;" (which remains a pivotal rallying point within development studies). The international reach and scope of the Handbook#xE2;#xAC;"scoverage and contributors#xE2;#xAC;" experience allow engagement with and reflection upon these bridging and linking themes as well as the politics and policy of how we think about and practice applied hazard research and disaster risk reduction.