Pairing in-depth journalism with historical perspectives, this book makes a compelling case for a natural solution to the growing problem of flooding.
With Seek Higher Ground, environmental writer and former land-use planner Tim Palmer explores the legacy of flooding in America, taking a fresh look at the emerging climatic, economic, and ecological realities of our rivers and communities. Global warming is forecast to sharply intensify flooding, and this book urges that we reduce future damage in the most effective, efficient, and equitable ways possible.
Through historical narrative, rigorous reporting, and decades of vivid personal experience, Palmer details how our society’s approach to flood control has been infamously inadequate and chronically counterproductive. He builds a powerful argument for both the protection of floodplain open space and for programs that help people voluntarily relocate their homes away from high-water hazards. Only by recognizing the indomitable forces of nature—and adapting to them—can we thrive in the challenging climate to come.
Seek Higher Ground The Natural Solution to Our Urgent Flooding Crisis
About the Book
Reviews
“Nature writer Palmer (Endangered Rivers and the Conservation Movement) delivers an urgent warning about the perils of Americans’ penchant for living too close to rivers destined to unleash catastrophic flooding as Earth’s atmosphere warms and its rains intensify. . . . What’s most valuable here are the stories of lessons learned by individuals and communities who have taken steps to end the cycles of rebuilding in and near floodplains. It's an encouraging guidebook for community leaders and organizers looking for a sensible path forward."—Publishers Weekly
"A powerful argument for protection of floodplain open space and for programs that help people relocate their homes away from high-water hazards. Only by recognizing and adapting to the indomitable forces of nature can we thrive in the challenging climate to come."—Climate and Capitalism"Brilliantly written, expertly researched, Seek Higher Ground examines in pathbreaking ways our ongoing cataclysm in the age of climate change. With first-rate reporting about history, ecology, and hydrology, Tim Palmer is the ideal author to reveal practical solutions to America’s chronic vulnerability to flooding. His heartfelt narrative is an urgent wake-up call for action. I highly recommend this important book!"—Douglas Brinkley, Professor of History at Rice University and author of Silent Spring Revolution
"Seek Higher Ground is the most comprehensive and compelling book written on the history and challenges of floodplain management—a must-read for anyone concerned about flooding. Anchored in fact and science, Tim Palmer’s engaging narrative boldly and correctly proclaims that the age of increased flooding is here. His account tells us what we've done wrong—and right—and it tells us what we must now do to prepare for the floods of the future."—Chad Berginnis, Executive Director, Association of State Floodplain Managers
"Beautifully written, seamlessly presented, Tim Palmer's book brings crucial issues of flooding together as no one has done before. His narrative—thoroughly supported by history, science, and economics—delivers an incisive critique of flood management in the past and a profoundly realistic proposal to solve problems that can no longer be ignored. This account is gripping to read and essential to understand as we face a world altered by a warming climate."—Philip Garone, Professor of History at California State University, Stanislaus, and author of The Fall and Rise of the Wetlands of California’s Great Central Valley
"Warm air holds more water vapor than cold—so we can expect flooding to keep increasing, which means we should pay close attention to the lessons in this book. Too much water is going to be as big a challenge for our earth as too little; now is the time to act."—Bill McKibben, author of Falter and The End of Nature
"Charting new waters, Tim Palmer’s compelling account of flooding and of what we must do about it is a story I could not put down. I recommend it to all who are affected when streams and rivers rise, to all who work in this challenging field, and to all who end up paying for the floods that are destined to increase as the climate crisis unfolds, and that includes every one of us."—Brian Richter, cofounder of The Nature Conservancy’s Global Water Program, President of Sustainable Waters, and author of Chasing Water
Read More >
"Beautifully written, seamlessly presented, Tim Palmer's book brings crucial issues of flooding together as no one has done before. His narrative—thoroughly supported by history, science, and economics—delivers an incisive critique of flood management in the past and a profoundly realistic proposal to solve problems that can no longer be ignored. This account is gripping to read and essential to understand as we face a world altered by a warming climate."—Philip Garone, Professor of History at California State University, Stanislaus, and author of The Fall and Rise of the Wetlands of California’s Great Central Valley
"Warm air holds more water vapor than cold—so we can expect flooding to keep increasing, which means we should pay close attention to the lessons in this book. Too much water is going to be as big a challenge for our earth as too little; now is the time to act."—Bill McKibben, author of Falter and The End of Nature
"Charting new waters, Tim Palmer’s compelling account of flooding and of what we must do about it is a story I could not put down. I recommend it to all who are affected when streams and rivers rise, to all who work in this challenging field, and to all who end up paying for the floods that are destined to increase as the climate crisis unfolds, and that includes every one of us."—Brian Richter, cofounder of The Nature Conservancy’s Global Water Program, President of Sustainable Waters, and author of Chasing Water
Table of Contents
Contents
1 The Coming Storm
2 The Essential History of High Water
3 Rivers Need Floods and Nature Needs Floodplains
4 Dams for Flood Control: The Promise and the Reality
5 Broken Barriers
6 Higher Floods and the Endless Storm
7 Floodplains Are for Floods
8 The Insurance Connection
9 Moving to Higher Ground
10 Greenways
11 Living with Rivers
Acknowledgments
Sources
Notes
Index
About the Author
Related Books
Field Guide to California Rivers
Tim Palmer
Iconotypes
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Ocean Outbreak
Drew Harvell
Grand Canyon For Sale
Stephen Nash
Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question
Jade Sasser
The Accidental Ecosystem
Peter S. Alagona
A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety
Sarah Jaquette Ray
Cane Toad Wars
Rick Shine
Field Guide to California Insects
Kip Will, Joyce Gross, Daniel Rubinoff, Jerry A. Powell