Extreme Cities : the Peril and Promise of Urban Life in the Age of Climate Change

**A cutting exploration of how cities drive climate change while being on the frontlines of the coming climate crisis**How will climate change affect our lives? Where will its impacts be most deeply felt? Are we doing enough to protect ourselves from the coming chaos? In __Extreme Cities__, Ashley Dawson argues that cities are ground zero for climate change, contributing the lion's share of carbon to the atmosphere, while also lying on the frontlines of rising sea levels. Today, the majority of the world's megacities are located in coastal zones, yet few of them are adequately prepared for the floods that will increasingly menace their shores. Instead, most continue to develop luxury waterfront condos for the elite and industrial facilities for corporations. These not only intensify carbon emissions, but also place coastal residents at greater risk when water levels rise.In __Extreme Cities__, Dawson offers an alarming portrait of the future of our cities,... A cutting exploration of how cities drive climate change while being on the frontlines of the coming climate crisis How will climate change affect our lives? Where will its impacts be most deeply felt? Are we doing enough to protect ourselves from the coming chaos? In Extreme Cities , Ashley Dawson argues that cities are ground zero for climate change, contributing the lion’s share of carbon to the atmosphere, while also lying on the frontlines of rising sea levels. Today, the majority of the world’s megacities are located in coastal zones, yet few of them are adequately prepared for the floods that will increasingly menace their shores. Instead, most continue to develop luxury waterfront condos for the elite and industrial facilities for corporations. These not only intensify carbon emissions, but also place coastal residents at greater risk when water levels rise. In Extreme Cities , Dawson offers an alarming portrait of the future of our cities, describing the efforts of Staten Island, New York, and Shishmareff, Alaska residents to relocate; Holland’s models for defending against the seas; and the development of New York City before and after Hurricane Sandy. Our best hope lies not with fortified sea walls, he argues. Rather, it lies with urban movements already fighting to remake our cities in a more just and equitable way. As much a harrowing study as a call to arms Extreme Cities is a necessary read for anyone concerned with the threat of global warming, and of the cities of the world. How Will Climate Change Affect Our Lives? Where Will Its Impacts Be Most Deeply Felt? Are We Doing Enough To Protect Ourselves From The Coming Chaos? In Extreme Cities, Ashley Dawson Argues That Cities Are Ground Zero For Climate Change, Contributing The Lion's Share Of Carbon To The Atmosphere, While Also Lying On The Frontlines Of Rising Sea Levels. Today, The Majority Of The World's Megacities Are Located In Coastal Zones, Yet Few Of Them Are Adequately Prepared For The Floods That Will Increasingly Menace Their Shores. Instead, Most Continue To Develop Luxury Waterfront Condos For The Elite And Industrial Facilities For Corporations. These Not Only Intensify Carbon Emissions, But Also Place Coastal Residents At Greater Risk When Water Levels Rise. In Extreme Cities, Dawson Offers An Alarming Portrait Of The Future Of Our Cities, Describing The Efforts Of Staten Island, New York, And Shishmareff, Alaska Residents To Relocate; Holland's Models For Defending Against The Seas; And The Development Of New York City Before And After Hurricane Sandy. Our Best Hope Lies Not With Fortified Sea Walls, He Argues. Rather, It Lies With Urban Movements Already Fighting To Remake Our Cities In A More Just And Equitable Way. As Much A Harrowing Study As A Call To Arms Extreme Cities Is A Necessary Read For Anyone Concerned With The Threat Of Global Warming, And Of The Cities Of The World.--publisher's Description. Ashley Dawson. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 311-359) And Index. How will climate change affect our lives? Where will its impacts be most deeply felt? Are we doing enough to protect ourselves? In Extreme Cities, Ashley Dawson argues that the world's cities are ground zero for climate change. They make the largest contribution of carbon to the atmosphere while being extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels. Most megacities are in coastal zones, yet few of them are adequately prepared for the floods that will increasingly menace their shores. Instead, they continue to develop luxury waterfront condos for the elite and industrial facilities for corporations. These not only increase carbon emissions, but will also place coastal residents at greater risk when water levels rise. Extreme Cities is a disturbing portrait of the future facing cities as varied as Jakarta, Delhi, Port-au-Prince, and São Paulo. Something of what lies in store can already be seen in the efforts to relocate the residents of Staten Island and Shishmaref, Alaska; in Holland's sea defenses; and in the development of New York City before and after Hurricane Sandy. Our best hope lies not with fortified sea walls, Dawson argues, but with urban movements already fighting to make our cities more just and equitable. As much a harrowing clear-eyed study as a call to arms, Extreme Cities is a necessary read for anyone concerned with the threat of global warming and the legacy of our modern urban habitats. -- From dust jacket A cutting exploration of how cities drive climate change while being on the frontlines of the coming climate crisis. How will climate change affect our lives? Where will its impacts be most deeply felt? Are we doing enough to protect ourselves from the coming chaos? In Extreme Cities, Ashley Dawson argues that cities are ground zero for climate change, contributing the lion's share of carbon to the atmosphere, while also lying on the frontlines of rising sea levels. Today, the majority of the world's megacities are located in coastal zones, yet few of them are adequately prepared for the floods that will increasingly menace their shores. Instead, most continue to develop luxury waterfront condos for the elite and industrial facilities for corporations. These not only intensify carbon emissions, but also place coastal residents at greater risk when water levels rise. In Extreme Cities, Dawson offers an alarming portrait of the future of our cities as varied as Jakarta, Dehli, Port-au-Prince and Sao Paulo, describing the efforts of Staten Island, New York, and Shishmareff, Alaska residents to relocate; Holland's models for defending against the seas; and the development of New York City before and after Hurricane Sandy. Our best hope lies not with fortified sea walls, he argues. Rather, it lies with urban movements already fighting to remake our cities in a more just and equitable way How will climate change affect our lives? Where will its impacts be most deeply felt? Are we doing enough to protect ourselves from the coming chaos? In Extreme Cities, Ashley Dawson argues that cities are ground zero for climate change, contributing the lion's share of carbon to the atmosphere, while also lying on the frontlines of rising sea levels. Today, the majority of the world's megacities are located in coastal zones, yet few of them are adequately prepared for the floods that will increasingly menace their shores. Instead, most continue to develop luxury waterfront condos for the elite and industrial facilities for corporations. These not only intensify carbon emissions, but also place coastal residents at greater risk when water levels rise. In Extreme Cities, Dawson offers an alarming portrait of the future of our cities, describing the efforts of Staten Island, New York, and Shishmareff, Alaska residents to relocate; Holland's models for defending against the seas; and the development of New York City before and after Hurricane Sandy. Our best hope lies not with fortified sea walls, he argues. Rather, it lies with urban movements already fighting to remake our cities in a more just and equitable way.0