Under Fire and Under Water Volume 16: Wildfire, Flooding, and the Fight for Climate Resilience in the American West

Climate change is causing extreme weather in the American West, making it hostile to human habitation. Bruce E. Cain's book suggests rethinking and reconfiguring the unique complex of politics, technology, and logistics to win it anew. He analyzes how people continue to move into risky areas, how local communities are slow to take protective measures, and how individual beliefs, past adaptation practices, and infrastructure combine to flout real progress. Cain's analysis is an important first step toward understanding the habits and politics that lead to procrastination and obstruction and finding solutions to allow people to live sustainably in the American West.

Format: Hardback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2023
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

The American West is facing a dire threat from extreme weather in the wake of climate change, which has the potential to turn it into a "Great American Desert." This timely book by Bruce E. Cain suggests that the unique complex of politics, technology, and logistics that once won the West must be rethought and reconfigured to win it anew. Cain examines how people continue to move into and rebuild in risky areas, how local communities are slow to take protective measures, and how individual beliefs, past adaptation practices, infrastructure, and complex governing arrangements across jurisdictions combine to flout real progress.

Driving Cain's analysis is the conviction that understanding the habits and politics that lead to procrastination and obstruction is critical to finding solutions and making necessary adaptations to the changing climate. This book is an important first step toward that understanding and consequently toward the rethinking and reengineering that will allow people to live sustainably in the American West under the conditions of future global warming.

The challenges posed by extreme weather in the West are complex and multifaceted. Coastal flooding and spreading wildfires are just two examples of the many threats the region faces. Despite these risks, people continue to move into and rebuild in risky areas, often driven by economic opportunities or a desire for a rural lifestyle. Local communities are often slow to take protective measures, partly due to the costs associated with such measures and partly due to political resistance.

Individual beliefs, past adaptation practices, and infrastructure also play a role in flouting real progress. For example, some people may hold the belief that climate change is not a real threat or that it is too late to take action. Past adaptation practices may have limited the effectiveness of protective measures, while infrastructure may be outdated or inadequate to handle the new climate conditions.

Complex governing arrangements across jurisdictions also contribute to the challenges faced by the West. Different states, counties, and local governments have different priorities and responsibilities, making it difficult to coordinate efforts and develop effective policies. This can lead to fragmented and ineffective responses to extreme weather events.

Cain's book provides a detailed look at the rising stakes and urgency of the various interconnected issues facing the West. He analyzes how people continue to move into and rebuild in risky areas, how local communities are slow to take protective measures, and how individual beliefs, past adaptation practices, infrastructure, and complex governing arrangements combine to flout real progress. He also considers the political and economic factors that contribute to procrastination and obstruction in addressing climate change.

Understanding the habits and politics that lead to procrastination and obstruction is critical to finding solutions and making necessary adaptations to the changing climate. Cain's book provides valuable insights into these factors and offers suggestions for rethinking and reengineering the complex system that governs the West. He argues that a more collaborative and integrated approach is needed, involving all levels of government, the private sector, and local communities.

One of the key recommendations in the book is the need for better coordination and communication between different levels of government. This includes developing a comprehensive climate adaptation plan that includes all levels of government, as well as the private sector and local communities. It also involves developing a common language and framework for discussing climate change and adaptation, as well as establishing clear roles and responsibilities for each level of government.

Another recommendation is the need for more investment in infrastructure and technology to address climate change. This includes investing in renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and developing new technologies to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. Cain also suggests the need for more research and development into climate adaptation strategies, as well as the development of new policies and regulations to support these strategies.

In addition to these recommendations, Cain's book also highlights the importance of individual behavior and decision-making. He argues that individuals can make a difference in addressing climate change by reducing their carbon footprint, adopting sustainable practices, and supporting policies that promote climate adaptation. He also suggests the need for education and awareness-raising to promote these behaviors and values.

Overall, Under Fire and Under Water is an important first step toward understanding the challenges posed by extreme weather in the West and developing solutions to address them. Cain's book provides valuable insights into the habits and politics that lead to procrastination and obstruction in addressing climate change, and offers suggestions for rethinking and reengineering the complex system that governs the West. By implementing these recommendations, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the American West.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806193205