Natural Hazards and Environmental Change (Key Issues in Environmental Change) - Softcover

McGuire, Bill; Mason, Ian; Killburn, Christopher

9780340742204: Natural Hazards and Environmental Change (Key Issues in Environmental Change)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340742208 ISBN 13: 9780340742204

Publisher: Hodder Education Publishers, 2002

We are at a critical period in our planet's history: global warming is real and it is happening now. With a few exceptions most scientists now believe that the global warming of recent decades is a function of human activities and the rising level of greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere as a result. But such dynamic periods of environmental change have a destabilising impact, encouraging the onslaught of hazardous phenomena.
'Natural Hazards and Environmental Change' highlights and critically evaluates the accumulating evidence for an intimate link between natural hazards and environmental change. Surveying a unique collection of themes, this link is examined from two viewpoints: first, how environmental change can contribute to an increased level of hazardous natural phenomenon, and second how natural hazards may themselves lead to environmental change on a local, regional or even global scale. Through exploring the often complex and dynamic relationships between environmental change and the frequency and severity of hazards (such as floods, windstorms, landslides, asteroid and comet impacts and volcanic eruptions), the book also introduces the reader to some of the more speculative aspects of the relationship: how, for example, variations in sea level are linked to the level of volcanic activity and how a warmer, wetter climate might lead to landslides and tsunami formation at oceanic islands. With dramatically rising temperatures and sea levels now inevitable, as well as a growing global population that is becoming increasingly vulnerable to hazardous geophysical phenomena, the world of the 21st century is likely to be an increasingly dangerous one.
Assessing past effects, evaluating recent trends and addressing extrapolations of current geophysical models, 'Natural Hazards and Environmental Change' incorporates cutting-edge research to provide an invaluable guide to the impact of natural hazards now, and in the future.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Christopher Killburn, Benfield Grieg Hazard Research Center, All at University College London.

Review:

Natural Hazards and Environmental Change is a scientifically sound and well-written book giving a comprehensive overview of modern hazard investigations. Especially interesting is the main theme, i.e. the thesis that anthropogenic factors are the main reason for these alarming events. This might have a positive effect in stimulating desirable social and political reactions. I am glad to have this useful book in my own library.
BOREAS

I found this book to be intelligent, well organized, informative, up to date and worthwhile. It is highly recommended. The effort at a synthesis has been surprisingly successful.
Natural Hazards

The publication of this book should be welcomed; in an overprovided market Natural Hazards and Environmental Change takes a fresh and stimulating approach to the study of natural hazards. In eight well-written chapters, McGuire, Mason and Kilburn have produced a book which is distinctly different from the legion of others currently in the market place. Geology, Earth Science and science geography students should own a copy, as should any academic teaching in this field.
The Holocene

...a very topical and timely publication which manages to pack an enormous amount of relevant and current information into its 187 pages.

This book deserves to be on the bookshelf of scientists, non-scientists, politicians, and anyone interested in, or involved with, global warming discussions, or concerned about the long-term implications of anthropogenic induced global warming.
Episodes

Natural Hazards serves as a warning, and a sourcebook for understanding and prediction. It should direct international effort into seeking ways to mitigate disaster.
Geological Magazine

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.