Description
Book SynopsisAn earthquake shatters Haiti and a hurricane slices through Texas. We hear that nature runs rampant, seeking to destroy us through these ''natural disasters''. Science recounts a different story, however: disasters are not the consequence of natural causes; they are the consequence of human choices and decisions. We put ourselves in harm''s way; we fail to take measures which we know would prevent disasters, no matter what the environment does.This can be both hard to accept, and hard to unravel. A complex of factors shape disasters. They arise from the political processes dictating where and what we build, and from social circumstances which create and perpetuate poverty and discrimination. They develop from the social preference to blame nature for the damage wrought, when in fact events such as earthquakes and storms are entirely commonplace environmental processes. We feel the need to fight natural forces, to reclaim what we assume is ours, and to protect ourselves from what we per
Trade ReviewThe main message of this book is that disasters are not natural. Societies and humanity choose to create them. We can also, with insight, economic resources and political will, choose to prevent them ... I hope that this book is widely read and its message heeded. * Brent Wilson, The Geological Society *
A choose-your-ending book for grown-ups facing a world full of real-life monsters. * Kendra Reed, AIPT Comics *
Grimly informative. * Andrew Robinson, Nature *
I hope that this book is widely read and its message heeded. * Brent Wilson, Geoscientist *
Disaster by Choice demonstrates in a vivid and engaging way why big issues like the current climate crisis, where people are starting to accept that their actions can contribute to a collective result on a global scale, are just the tip of the iceberg. * Dominic Lenton, Engineering & Technology *
[An] engaging book filled with rich examples and details of specific historical events Kelmans succinct and generally lucid account of the state of knowledge within the field, will likely be useful to a wide range of readers. * Journal of Disaster Risk Studies *
You can tell that Kelman had a clear, well-defined vision for the book. The writing is concise and to the point, resulting in a quick read ... Disaster by Choice really brings the examples and recommendations down to our daily lives and practices to make them more impactful. * Scott Miles, Impact 360 *
This is an excellent little book that crystallises ideas about the influence and impact of human actions on natural catastrophes into a thoughtful and informative narrative, concluding - and rightly so - that there is no such thing as a natural disaster. A must-read book. * Professor Bill McGuire, author of Waking the Giant *
This perfectly crafted and well written book ... is long overdue, much needed and greatly welcomed. * James Lewis, Buildings & Cities *
Table of ContentsPrelude: Disasters are not natural 1: An island shattered 2: Nature's hazards 3: The story of vulnerability 4: Vulnerability by choice 5: Making the choice 6: Making the change Endnotes Further reading
