Risk Conundrums ─ Solving Unsolvable Problems

Many books have been written over the past twenty five years on risk and hazards. However, the intent here is not just another good book on risk, summarizing the important progress over the past several decades. Rather, this is a book that confronts the difficult and seemingly unmanageable problems that have emerged, in both decision making and in assessment, which have paralyzed or badly delayed analysis and directions for progression. What have we truly learned about perplexing problems and how best to move forward?

Bringing together a range of key thinkers in the field, this book draws upon case study examples including natural disasters, terrorism and energy transitions in order to explore key issues such as risk communication, indicators and metrics and risk management. The volume concludes by taking stock of global trends and their implications for vulnerability and resilience. Alternative pathways are defined and scrutinized and predictions for future developments set out.

This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of risk governance, environmental policy and sustainable development.

Roger Kasperson is a Research Professor at Clark University, USA