Curbing catastrophe natural hazards and risk reduction in the modern world

• Main Author: Dixon, Timothy H. (Author)
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, United Kingdom Cambridge University Press 2017
• Subjects: Natural disasters > Prevention; Emergency management; Hazard mitigation
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.
• Physical Description: xxi, 300 pages illustrations, maps 24 cm
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (pages 270-286) and index.
• ISBN: 9781107035188; 110703518X

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