First published 2025
Catastrophic events strike hardest at those least able to withstand them. Natural scientist John C. Mutter and economist Sonali Deraniyagala combine their expertise to show how earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts, and floods emerge from both natural and social factors. The authors first examine the science behind these events, then explore how they shape economic development, growth patterns, inequality, and recovery efforts across different communities and nations. Their analysis spans the globe, from Turkish and Haitian earthquakes to American hurricanes, Ethiopian drought, and cyclones in Myanmar and Bangladesh. As climate change intensifies, these weather-related catastrophes pose growing threats to vulnerable populations worldwide. The book demonstrates why understanding disasters requires both scientific and economic perspectives, making complex concepts accessible through clear explanations and real-world examples that illuminate the multifaceted nature of these events.
Genres: science, economics, non-fiction, climate-change, human-development, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: informative, interdisciplinary
Setting: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti, Myanmar, Turkey
256 pages · Hardcover · Columbia University Press