The Creeks Will Rise: People Co-Existing with Floods

In pursuit of economic growth, the United States and other developed countries are testing the tolerance of the natural world. The results include the loss of valuable ecosystems, global climate change and the degradation of the planet's ability to support life. Journalist William Becker argues that our mission in the 21st century should be to fix what we have broken in the natural world and to enlist healthy ecosystems in our pursuit of economic and physical security. Becker begins by sounding an alarm about the inability of the dams and levees we built over the last century to handle the severity of sea-level rise and record floods we see today. It's time, he suggests, to give floodplains back to rivers. Climate change is causing larger and more frequent weather disasters. Floods are the most frequent and costly in the United States, causing $17 billion annually in damages between 2010 and 2018—and experts predict damages will double by 2051. How should we respond? Climate change expert Bill Becker argues we should not respond by building more flood-control structures like dams, levees, and seawalls. That was the policy of the last century. The nation's 92,000 dams and 30,000 miles of levees are aging and insufficient to stop the floods we see today. More than 100 million Americans are now at risk.The Creeks Will Rise: People Coexisting with Floods makes a compelling case that we must begin collaborating with nature. Wherever possible, communities should help flood-prone families move to safer places. We should return the land to rivers and oceans and restore the wetlands, coastal marshes, and other ecosystems that provide natural flood protection. Becker writes from experience. He helped move a flood-prone community to higher ground forty years ago. He has since worked with scores of flooded communities to help them plan their recoveries.We must collaborate with nature rather than trying to control it. Climate change is causing larger and more frequent weather disasters. Floods are the most frequent and costly in the United States, causing$17 billion annually in damages between 2010 and 2018and experts predict damages will double by 2051. How should we respond? Climate change expertBill Becker argues we should not respond by building more flood-control structures like dams, levees, and seawalls. That was the policy of the last century. The nation's 92,000 dams and 30,000 miles of levees are aging and insufficient to stop thefloods we see today. More than 100 million Americans are now at risk. The Creeks Will People Coexisting with Floods makes a compelling case that we must begin collaborating with nature. Wherever possible, communities should help flood-pronefamilies move to saferplaces. We should return the land to rivers and oceans and restore the wetlands, coastal marshes, and other ecosystems that provide natural flood protection. Becker writes from experience. He helped move a flood-prone community to higher ground forty years ago. He has since worked with scores of flooded communities to help them plan their recoveries. We must collaborate with nature rather than trying to control it. "In pursuit of economic growth, the United States and other developed countries are testing the tolerance of the natural world. The results include the loss of valuable ecosystems, global climate change, and the degradation of the planet's ability to support life. Journalist William Becker argues that our mission in the 21st century should be to fix what we have broken in the natural world and to enlist healthy ecosystems in our pursuit of economic and physical security. Becker begins by sounding an alarm about the inability of the dams and levees we built over the last century to handle the severity of sea-level rise and record floods we see today. The Creeks Will Rise delves into some of the historical and philosophical underpinnings that have led to the climate change situation we now find ourselves in. Becker fearlessly takes on the fossil fuel industry, holding it accountable for the enormous contribution it has made to climate change. He also includes recommendations for solutions as well as specific advice and resources for anyone working toward resolving the climate crisis"--Publisher's website Front Cover Title Page Half Title Copyright Dedication Contents Guide to Acronyms Foreword by Bill McKibben Introduction Part I: Water 1. The Kickapoo Valley 2. Glory Days 3. The Dam 4. The Soft Path 5. The Battle of La Farge 6. The Dedication 7. Mní wicóhóni (Water Is Life) 8. How the Federal Role Began 9. Problems with Structures 10. Sound the Retreat 11. Natural Solutions 12. Early Adopters 13. The Next Mass Migration 14. Revisiting Soldiers Grove Part II: The Biocene 15. Introducing the Biocene 16. The Devalue Chain 17. The Four Alarms 18. Frontierism 19. Avarice 20. Safe Operating Spaces 21. The Restoration Economy 22. The Vision Thing 23. The Biocene Epilogue Appendix 1: Climate 101 Appendix 2: Recommendations Appendix 3: Tips for Relocation Facilitators Appendix 4: Ecosystem Restoration Resources Acknowledgments Notes Index Back Cover