Unraveling Environmental Disasters

Unraveling Environmental Disasters, Second Edition provides scientific explanations of the most threatening current and future environmental disasters, including an analysis of ways disasters could have been prevented and how to minimize risk of similar disasters in the future. In this new edition the authors provide foundational knowledge on why certain environmental disasters occur and ways of reducing the risk of recurrences. Anyone involved in teaching or working in the main sciences of physics, chemistry, and biology, or in the applied sciences, including engineering, design, planning, and homeland security, should read the book to become acquainted with these very important issues. - Evaluates natural hazards and disasters with an emphasis on lessons learned for better future forecasting - Considers the impact of human systems on environmental disasters, treating disasters as complex systems - Provides detailed predictions, based upon sound science, on why disasters occur - Includes fully updated chapters on food, health, and water - Focuses on both theoretical and practical aspects of each disaster - Includes disasters related to climate change and pollution

Professor Daniel A. Vallero is an internationally recognized author and expert in environmental science and engineering. He has devoted decades to conducting research, teaching, and mentoring future scientists and engineers. He is currently developing tools and models to predict potential exposures to chemicals in consumer products. He is a full adjunct professor of civil and environmental engineering at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. He has authored 20 environmental textbooks, with the most recent addressing the importance of physical principles in environmental science and engineering. His books have addressed all environmental compartments and media within the earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.