The Hidden Costs of Coastal Hazards

Citation

(2000), "The Hidden Costs of Coastal Hazards", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 9 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2000.07309cad.005

The Hidden Costs of Coastal Hazards

The Hidden Costs of Coastal Hazards

The H. John Heinz 111 Center for Science, Economics and the EnvironmentIsland PressWashington DC2000220 pp.ISBN 1 55963 756 0$30.00

This book is the result of the bringing together of a panel of experts to help develop new strategies to identify and reduce the costs of weather-related hazards associated with coastal development. It offers the first in-depth study that considers the costs of coastal hazards to natural resources, social institutions, business, and the built environment.

The book has many case studies which help bring the problem into some semblance of order and help the reader come to terms with (fortunately for most it is not an expected experience) the scale of the disastrous event. I found it fascinating reading about items of immediate concern for those affected by the event that I would not have otherwise considered.

We humans have a tendency to live in areas subject to natural conflict. These areas are extremely suitable, and often desirable, areas to inhabit, but they are subject to extreme events and it is about addressing that desire to inhabit these areas in a manner, if not altogether risk free, which is sustainable.