Fire and Flood: A People's History of Climate Change, from 1979 to the Present

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Winner of the American Meteorological Society's Louis J. Batton Book of the Year Award, this work presents a compelling examination of our failure to confront climate change. The author, with over thirty years of experience, highlights the detrimental influence of powerful business interests that have hindered progress but could also pivot to address the crisis if motivated by economic necessity. Beginning with his first climate change article in 1988, the author builds a definitive case, illustrating how we reached our current predicament. He identifies four critical "clocks" that measure different aspects of climate change: the reality of the crisis, the scientific consensus, public opinion and political will, and the influence of business and finance. While reality progresses independently, public perception and scientific understanding lag behind financial interests, which have effectively stymied collective action. The author emphasizes the insurance industry as a key indicator of the escalating crisis, particularly in regions experiencing "climate redlining." With the system on the brink and the risk of another housing collapse looming, the urgency for action is clear. The narrative underscores the necessity of accelerating our response to avert disaster and outlines potential pathways forward.