Overview

Looks at the most significant natural disasters in Earth’s history and considers whether we can prevent them from happening again. Natural disasters occur on a regular basis throughout the world with severe events occurring every few years or less. Each disaster type impacts human settlements in different ways and can be local, affecting small countries or areas, or global, affecting the world. These disasters destabilized populations, the governments of provinces and countries, and drastically impact populations and the priorities of a nation in response to a natural disaster. In other words, they changed history. In Wicked Weather, Alexander Gates explores these notable environmental disasters and their impacts, raising the question: What can we do to prevent this from happening again? After an introduction on why certain disasters occur most often in specific areas, Gates covers history’s most impactful volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes/cyclones/typhoons, tornadoes, droughts, floods, and tsunamis. Each chapter investigates significant cases of each environmental disaster that shifted power in a region, caused wars, toppled governments, or changed policies and the way people approached life in these parts of the world. Gates also examines the field of disaster management and the agencies that handle it—what can be done during, immediately after and well after a natural disaster and how society can respond and recover. These progressions can lead to complete rebuilding of communities with safeguards to reduce the impact of the next disaster. Wicked Weather is a fascinating study of our worst disasters, a call to action as we face a dangerously changing climate, and a guide to limiting our susceptibility to the forces of nature.

Full Product Details

9781538198933

Table of Contents

Reviews

Gates provides a well-designed architecture of weather events and their impacts. Understanding natural disasters and their consequences is essential to building a more resilient future. By studying these past events with Gates—the causes, impacts, and failures in response—we gain the knowledge needed to improve early warning systems, strengthen infrastructure, and educate communities. Preparation begins with awareness, and informed action can save lives, reduce damage, and speed recovery when disaster strikes again. -- Amy Freeze, certified broadcast meteorologist

Author Information

Alexander Gates is a distinguished service professor of Earth and environmental sciences at Rutgers University. He has published twelve books, including Reclaiming Our Planet. His work in geology, education and broadening participation in STEM has been recognized with 29 professional awards. Gates is a resident of New Jersey.

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