After years covering natural disasters as a journalist, I was an apprehensive viewer as Hurricane Sandy approached our small, vulnerable Connecticut town.

FORBES: Hurricane Sandy: No Hype

National Geographic Expeditions runs tours throughout the year for the same price, covering natural wonders like Easter Island and the tropical Daintree rain forest in Australia.

FORBES: How To See The World In Less Than 80 Days

An alternative would be to make natural-disaster insurance (covering floods, earthquakes, avalanches and so on) obligatory, with premiums more closely reflecting the risk.

ECONOMIST: Hurricane Katrina

There are handfuls of newly minted billionaires covering real estate and natural resources like oil, copper, iron ore and coal.

FORBES: What $100 Got You In 1954: Lessons In Art And Growth Stocks

With their classic Texas sound intact throughout and with songs covering timely themes such immigration, financial strain and natural disaster The Flatlanders' members carry on with as much relevance today as they had when they first got together.

NPR: The Flatlanders On Mountain Stage

Covering 5268 square kilometres the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere was granted its status in recognition of the special natural qualities that characterise the area.

UNESCO: Biosphere Reserves