Curbing Catastrophe
Natural Hazards and Risk Reduction in the Modern World

An eye-opening account exploring common themes between major disasters and providing important lessons for successful natural hazard mitigation.

Timothy H. Dixon (Author)

9781107035188, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 January 2017

318 pages, 51 b/w illus. 6 tables
23.5 x 15.8 x 2 cm, 0.66 kg

'Dixon covers a wide range of natural (and a few man-made) hazards with recent examples of major disasters as the vehicle to provide context and consequences. The examples are carefully chosen to allow Dixon to explore how societal behaviour did or can make the hazards catastrophic … I see this book serving several important roles. First … it is a recommended read for most geoscientists, and others who have an interest in how the Earth works on human timescales. Second … as a thought provoking read for graduate students, helping them develop a good understanding of the broader impacts of their science. The combination of rigorous science, intriguing perspective, and societal relevance make Curbing Catastrophe a valued addition to the literature of natural hazards.' Kevin P. Furlong, International Geology Review

What does Japan's 2011 nuclear accident have in common with the 2005 flooding of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina? This thought-provoking book presents a compelling account of recent and historical disasters, both natural and human-caused, drawing out common themes and providing a holistic understanding of hazards, disasters and mitigation, for anyone interested in this important and topical subject. Based on his on-the-ground experience with several major recent disasters, Timothy H. Dixon explores the science, politics and economics behind a variety of disasters and environmental issues, arguing that many of the worst effects are avoidable. He describes examples of planning and safety failures, provides forecasts of future disasters and proposes solutions for hazard mitigation. The book shows how billions of dollars and countless lives could be saved by adopting longer-term thinking for infrastructure planning and building, and argues that better communication is vital in reducing global risks and preventing future catastrophes.

Preface
1. Black and white swans, evolution, and markets
2. What is a natural disaster? Where do they occur, and why? Are they different from human-made disasters?
3. If we know so much about natural disasters, why are we so vulnerable?
4. Japanese earthquakes and nuclear power plant failures
5. Future earthquake disasters in Seattle and Istanbul
6. Nuclear power, coal, and tuna: the concept of relative risk
7. Past and future coastal flooding: Galveston, New Orleans, Bangladesh, and the specter of sea level rise
8. What's all the fuss about global warming?
9. Solutions
References and further reading
Index
Online appendices: Appendix 1. Additional background material and exercises for students
Appendix 2. Colour figures.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Natural disasters [RNR], Earth sciences [RB]