Binding: Paperback
Description: Very Short Introductions: Brilliant Sharp Inspiring In this Very Short Introduction Bill Mc Guire takes a fresh look at our sometimes perilous planet and evaluates the causes and consequences of what used to be thought of as 'natural hazards through the prism of planetary heating and the continuing destabilising of our climate. Our world has always been a dangerous and deadly place and storms floods earthquakes tsunamis and volcanic blasts have taken an enormous toll on lives and livelihoods throughout recorded history and before. In the past such events were regarded first as acts of God or gods and later as simply a consequence of hazardous natural phenomena that are a normal part of how our planet works. In recent decades however this picture has changed. Relentless global heating arising from the 2.4 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere as a result of human activities has completely altered the 'natural hazard landscape. There has long been a debate about whether - due to the influence of societal and economic factors - there is such a thing as a truly natural disaster. Now the debate has moved on to whether or not the hazards that cause them can any longer be described as entirely natural. Our damaged climate has driven an explosion of extreme weather which has become ever more apparent in recent years via the super - charging of storms floods heatwaves and wildfires. The fingerprints of global heating can be detected even in individual events that would have been extremely unlikely to have happened or even been impossible in its absence. Meanwhile earthquakes tsunamis and volcanic eruptions continue to plague communities and take lives while even here there are links with a changing climate that have the potential to magnify their occurrence and impacts. About THE Series: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket - sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Title: Geophysical And Climate Hazards: A Very Short Introduction
Author(s): Mcguire Bill (Professor Emeritus Of Geophysical & Climate Hazards Professor Emeritus Of Geophysical & Climate Hazards University College London)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Barcode: 9780192874535
Pages: 160 Pages, 20 Illustrations
Publication Date: 5/22/2024
Series: Very Short Introductions
Category: Meteorology & Climatology