Why Disasters Are Getting Worse - TIME

News Type: Event — Seeded on Thu Sep 4, 2008 9:02 AM EDT

Article Source: TIME

science, global-warming, katrina, hurricane, tsunami, disasters, gustav

It is tempting to look at the line-up of storms in the Atlantic (Hanna, Ike, Josephine) and, in the name of everything green, blame climate change for this state of affairs. But there is another inconvenient truth out there: We are getting more vulnerable to weather mostly because of where we live, not just how we live.

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AdipicAcid

But before you get all warm and cuddly that human activity has nothing to do with the increased damages:

Human beings have been clearing away our best protections all over the world, says Kathleen Tierney, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder. "The natural protections are diminishing — whether you're talking about mangrove forests in areas affected by the Indian ocean tsunami, wetlands in the Gulf Coast or forests, which offer protection against landslides and mudslides."

Is it time to end subsidized flood insurance, which is one of the ideas floated in the article?

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2 votes

#1 - Thu Sep 4, 2008 9:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":2750454,"authorDomain":"craig19"}

Craig19

People love to live near water. I moved to Florida 5 years ago because I love the sea and no matter where you are in the sunshine state you are never more than 60 miles from it. In my case I am 20 mi. from the gulf and therefore subject to the risk of hurricanes. But it is worth it.

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#2 - Thu Sep 4, 2008 10:21 AM EDT

{"commentId":2753508,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}

AdipicAcid

My only question is why I am paying your flood insurance. I don't mind you living there, but it seems to me we are in fact removing the moral hazard of living near the water: if you can't afford to be wiped out every so often, perhaps it's better not to live so close?

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1 vote

#2.1 - Thu Sep 4, 2008 12:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":2753833,"authorDomain":"craig19"}

Craig19

How are you paying for my flood insurance? Well, if you are thanks for your help. I thought liberals liked helping others. Oh wait I forgot. You like using other peoples money to help others.

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#2.2 - Thu Sep 4, 2008 12:10 PM EDT

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AdipicAcid

The Federal Government is the insurer of last resort in flood zones. Last I checked, I paid taxes.

I thought Conservatives hated welfare, which is what the Federal Flood Insurance program essentially is. If it didn't exist, no one would be able to get affordable flood insurance in the most dangerous areas and they would not be developed, thus providing a natural buffer. It's a market solution to the problem, which any Conservative should embrace whole-heartedly.

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1 vote

#2.3 - Thu Sep 4, 2008 12:16 PM EDT

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ADIPICACID

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Why Disasters Are Getting Worse - TIME

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