A cutting exploration of how cities drive climate change while
being on the frontlines of the coming climate crisis
How will climate
change affect our lives? Where will its impacts be most deeply felt?
Are we doing enough to protect ourselves from the coming chaos? In
Extreme Cities, Ashley Dawson argues that cities are ground
zero for climate change, contributing the lion’s share of carbon to
the atmosphere, while also lying on the frontlines of rising sea
levels. Today, the majority of the world’s megacities are located
in coastal zones, yet few of them are adequately prepared for the
floods that will increasingly menace their shores. Instead, most
continue to develop luxury waterfront condos for the elite and
industrial facilities for corporations. These not only intensify
carbon emissions, but also place coastal residents at greater risk
when water levels rise.
In Extreme
Cities, Dawson offers an alarming portrait of the future of our
cities, describing the efforts of Staten Island, New York, and
Shishmareff, Alaska residents to relocate; Holland’s models for
defending against the seas; and the development of New York City
before and after Hurricane Sandy. Our best hope lies not with
fortified sea walls, he argues. Rather, it lies with urban movements
already fighting to remake our cities in a more just and equitable
way.
As much a harrowing
study as a call to arms Extreme Cities is a necessary read for
anyone concerned with the threat of global warming, and of the cities
of the world.