Environmental Hazards: Assessing Risk and Reducing Disaster - Softcover

Smith, Prof. Keith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415012171 ISBN 13: 9780415012171

Publisher: Routledge, 1991

Synopsis

Natural hazards have always been a part of human history. In the modern world, however, people and property are at risk not only from geophysical events, such as earthquakes and floods, but also from industrial explosions, the release of toxic substances and major transport accidents. Environmental Hazards covers all the major rapid-onset events - seismic, mass movement, atmospheric, hydrologic and technologic hazards - which directly threaten life on a community scale. Despite diverse origins and differential impacts, hazards create similar sorts of risks and disaster-reduction choices. Yet, the strategic response range of risk and impact assessment and reduction can only be judged in context. The author integrates the insights of both the earth and social sciences and employs a global range of case studies to present a complete introduction to environmental hazards.

About this title

Review

"'The author's master of this complicated subject is reflected in the way the book is clearly written and well-structured...an important accomplishment considering that the subject continues to cry out for debate and action.' - Environmental Politics (on the 2nd Edition) 'In this third edition of Environmental Hazards, Keith Smith has fashioned yet further improvements to what was already a highly readable, well-informed, broad ranging and accessible text. Essential reading for anyone interested in environmental hazards.' - Professor David K.C. Jones, London School of Economics 'An excellent guide to the field of natural hazards: comprehensive, thorough and well-organized.' - David Alexander, University of Massachusetts 'One area that is particularly appreciated by both myself and students is the overview of what a hazard is...the manner in which each hazard is covered, in terms of causes followed by a series of options for mitigation, in both developed and developing countries, is very useful.' - C. Holt, University College Northampton (on the 2nd Edition)"

About the Author

Keith Smith is Professor of Environmental Science and Head of the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Stirling. He has held previous posts at the universities of Liverpool, Durham and Strathclyde as well as at several overseas institutions. His other books include Water in Britain, Principles of Applied Climatology, and (with G.A. Tobin) Human Adjustment to the Flood Hazard

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415012171
• ISBN 13: 9780415012171
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352