Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes: Theories, Economics, and Policy Designs

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2018
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Natural and man-made catastrophes have been a significant part of human history,causing widespread destruction and loss of life. In recent years,the frequency and severity of these events have increased,raising concerns about how humanity should prepare for and respond to such events. This book presents a comprehensive examination of the mathematical theories,philosophies,and economics of catastrophes,with a view to how humanity should be prepared for events with catastrophic consequences.

The book begins by introducing readers to numerous natural and man-made catastrophes,including hurricanes,earthquakes,nuclear disasters,asteroid collisions,Large Hadron Collider,artificial intelligence,uncontrollable robots,global warming,infectious diseases without antibodies,and bioterrorism. It clarifies key mathematical and scientific theories,such as catastrophe theory,chaos,singularity,fractal,tipping point,unbounded variance,fat-tail,and Feigenbaum constant,on catastrophes.

The book then examines ancient and contemporary philosophies that have played critical roles in humanity's understanding of catastrophic outcomes. It discusses the Stoic philosophy,which emphasizes the importance of accepting the inevitable and living in harmony with nature,as well as the Buddhist philosophy,which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of compassion and mindfulness.

The book goes on to examine the economics of catastrophic events. It consolidates the catastrophe literature in natural sciences,scientific theories,and philosophy,constructs global empirical catastrophe data and analytical models using historical data on hurricanes and earthquakes,and critically reviews policy experiences on the aforementioned catastrophic events.

The book concludes by suggesting that humanity should be prepared for catastrophes by developing a comprehensive disaster management strategy that includes early warning systems,preparedness and response plans,and investment in infrastructure and technology. It also emphasizes the importance of promoting global cooperation and collaboration in order to share resources and knowledge and reduce the impact of catastrophic events.

In conclusion,Natural and Man-made Catastrophes: Theories,Economics,and Policy Designs is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the mathematical,philosophical,and economic aspects of catastrophes. It provides a holistic view of these topics,offering both empirical evidence and academic reflections to give a new perspective on an ever-developing topic. The book is both academic and applied in its approach,and provides many examples of public policy and catastrophe responses from around the world. By developing a comprehensive disaster management strategy and promoting global cooperation,we can better prepare for and respond to catastrophes,reducing the impact of these events on human life and the environment.

Weight: 672g
Dimension: 402 x 251 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781119416791