Overview

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.

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9781107035188

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Reviews

Advance praise: 'In Curbing Catastrophe, Timothy H. Dixon, a leading natural hazard scientist, gives a clear, calm, and thoughtful discussion of natural hazards facing societies around the world. The book nicely explains the science of hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, coastal flooding, and other effects of global warming. It looks at specific cases, and generalizes them to make sensible suggestions of how to reduce the risk they pose to people and property. Dixon draws on his personal experiences and research results to make an easily readable and insightful book. Anyone interested in natural hazard science and policy will enjoy reading the book - and will gain new insights, even on topics with which they are familiar.' Seth Stein, President of the American Geophysical Union Natural Hazards Focus Group, William Deering Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Institute for Policy Studies Associate, Northwestern University, Illinois Advance praise: 'Timothy H. Dixon provides a cogent and practical presentation of the risks we face with both natural and human-contributed disasters that kill, harm and cost us, especially if we do nothing. The takeaway message is: if you love this Earth and want to continue to rely on it, get to know it better and learn what we can do to protect ourselves from future calamities. Dixon explains in understandable fashion how the Earth works geologically; how, historically, we have taken the easy and convenient path to occupy it; and why we are so unprepared for its physical upheavals. Most significantly he provides solutions that make sense for now and for the future. The Earth will never stand still; should we not learn to work with it instead of against it? Our resistance to accommodating physical reality is our own self-destructing problem. Dixon helps us see this without shaming, and provides solutions that can help ourselves and our progeny.' John Hofmeister, Former President of Shell Oil Company and Founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy

Author Information

Timothy H. Dixon is a Professor in the School of Geosciences and Director of the Natural Hazards Network at the University of South Florida. In his research, he uses satellite geodesy and remote sensing data to study earthquakes and volcano deformation, coastal subsidence, ground water extraction and glacier motion. He has worked as a commercial pilot and scientific diver, conducted research at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, and was a Professor at the University of Miami, where he co-founded the Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS). Dixon was a Distinguished Lecturer for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) in 2006–7, and is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Geological Society of America (GSA), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He received a GSA 'Best Paper' award in 2006, and received GSA's George P. Woollard award in 2010 for excellence in geophysics.

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