The Hidden Costs of Coastal Hazards: Implications For Risk Assessment And Mitigation / Edition 1

by The H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment, Gilbert F. White

Overview

<p>Society has limited hazard mitigation dollars to invest. Which actions will be most cost effective, considering the true range of impacts and costs incurred? In 1997, the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment began a two-year study with a panel of experts to help develop new strategies to identify and reduce the costs of weather-related hazards associated with rapidly increasing coastal development activities.<p>The Hidden Costs of Coastal Hazards presents the panel's findings, offering the first in-depth study that considers the costs of coastal hazards to natural resources, social institutions, business, and the built environment. Using Hurricane Hugo, which struck South Carolina in 1989, as a case study, it provides for the first time information on the full range of economic costs caused by a major coastal hazard event. The book:<ul> <li> describes and examines unreported, undocumented, and hidden costs such as losses due to business interruption, reduction in property values, interruption of social services, psychological trauma, damage to natural systems, and others <li> examines the concepts of risk and vulnerability, and discusses conventional approaches to risk assessment and the emerging area of vulnerability assessment <li> recommends a comprehensive framework for developing and implementing mitigation strategies <li> documents the human impact of Hurricane Hugo and provides insight from those who lived through it.</ul><p>The Hidden Costs of Coastal Hazards takes a structured approach to the problem of coastal hazards, offering a new framework for community-based hazard mitigation along with specific recommendations for implementation. Decisionmakers-both policymakers and planners-who are interested in coastal hazard issues will find the book a unique source of new information and insight, as will private-sector decisionmakers including lenders, investors, developers, and insurers of coastal property.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781559637565
Publisher:	Island Press
Publication date:	10/01/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

At the crossroads of science and environmental policy, The Heinz Center brings leaders together from business, government, academia, and environmental groups to brainstorm solutions that are both scientifically and economically sound. Founded in 1995 in honor of Senator H. John Heinz III, the Center's guiding philosophy is that only by working together can we solve today's environmental challenges and leave the world a better place for generations to come.

Editorial Reviews

"Finally, an intelligent discussion about America's determination to live along the shoreline, and what it really costs us in human suffering as well as financial losses."

Dr. Judith T. Kildow

"This is the first attempt to assess the hidden costs of costal hazards from an interdisciplinary viewpoint, and I highly recommend this book."

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman