**4. Conclusions**

Environmental risks are associated with various natural phenomena and human activities which are potential threats to urban and rural communities and natural and seminatural ecosystems, creating disturbances from local to global level. Population growth, urbanization, resources depletion, pollution and climate change amplify the current risks and emerge new threats to natural and socioeconomic systems.

Risks are unevenly distributed and are generally greater for disadvantaged people and communities in countries at all levels of development [8]. Most vulnerable places, countries, and regions are those with poor socioeconomic conditions, lack or improper access to basic utilities (such as drinking water supply, sanitation, hygiene, sludge and solid waste management services), poor land use and agricultural management, and uncontrolled industrial activities. Usually, poor countries pay a higher tribute to death, while wealthy countries account for the highest levels of material losses.

Environmental policies must be continuously updated supported by relevant data and proper monitoring process to mitigate the environmental risks from local to international level. Multilevel cooperation is compulsory on this matter, and further mechanisms must be developed in the context of climate changes, urban expansion, and emerging economies of low- and middle-income countries.
