Disasters in Paradise: Natural Hazards, Social Vulnerability, and Development Decisions

In this edited volume, Amanda D. Concha-Holmes and Anthony Oliver-Smith document the confounding elements of weather, climate, and a market-driven society as they wreak havoc on the sunshine state's complex ecosystems. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Florida or any of America’s other 49 states. What it portends affects us all. -- Steve Kroll-Smith, University of North Carolina, Greensboro This book fills a vital gap in our understanding of natural hazards and the socially constructed concept of disaster. By drawing on a number of weather and climate influenced events of modest size, the authors adroitly describe how societies have altered the environment at our peril, providing a set of powerful cases that should serve as a wake-up call for other communities and states that have valued development above all else and can only attempt to recover from the predictable disasters that result. In an era of climate change, the lessons drawn from this book are increasingly prescient, requiring meaningful policy change in spite of the difficulties of doing so, recognizing that the status quo is unsustainable and will ultimately destroy the very characteristics of the places we call paradise. -- Gavin Smith, North Carolina State University This fascinating and compelling set of case studies documents the relationship between development policies and disasters. The accessible and lucid style of Disasters in Paradise will appeal to readers from a wide range of interests and expertise. -- Linda Whiteford, University of South Florida