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Insurance - Underwater: Loss, Flood Insurance, and the Moral Economy of Climate Change in the United States (Society and the Environment)

Description

Book Synopsis: Communities around the United States face the threat of being underwater. This is not only a matter of rising waters reaching the doorstep. It is also the threat of being financially underwater, owning assets worth less than the money borrowed to obtain them. Many areas around the country may become economically uninhabitable before they become physically unlivable. In Underwater, Rebecca Elliott explores how families, communities, and governments confront problems of loss as the climate changes. She offers the first in-depth account of the politics and social effects of the U.S. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides flood insurance protection for virtually all homes and small businesses that require it. In doing so, the NFIP turns the risk of flooding into an immediate economic reality, shaping who lives on the waterfront, on what terms, and at what cost. Drawing on archival, interview, ethnographic, and other documentary data, Elliott follows controversies over the NFIP from its establishment in the 1960s to the present, from local backlash over flood maps to Congressional debates over insurance reform. Though flood insurance is often portrayed as a rational solution for managing risk, it has ignited recurring fights over what is fair and valuable, what needs protecting and what should be let go, who deserves assistance and on what terms, and whose expectations of future losses are used to govern the present. An incisive and comprehensive consideration of the fundamental dilemmas of moral economy underlying insurance, Underwater sheds new light on how Americans cope with loss as the water rises.

Details

Discover the gripping narrative of Underwater: Loss, Flood Insurance, and the Moral Economy of Climate Change in the United States. As communities grapple with the threat of rising waters and economic instability, author Rebecca Elliott delves into the intricate web of politics and social impacts surrounding the U.S. National Flood Insurance Program. Gain a profound understanding of how this program shapes decisions on who resides in waterfront properties and at what cost. Dive deep into the complexities of flood insurance and its implications on our society.

With Underwater, you'll embark on a fascinating exploration of the dynamic relationship between climate change, financial vulnerability, and governmental response. Elliott's research draws on a diverse range of sources, from archival material to firsthand interviews, providing a comprehensive analysis of the NFIP's evolution since its inception in the 1960s. Uncover the nuances of insurance reform debates and local controversies that have shaped the landscape of flood protection in the United States.

Gain a fresh perspective on the moral quandaries that underlie the concept of insurance as a tool for managing risk. Elliott's work in Underwater challenges conventional wisdom on flood protection and prompts readers to consider the ethical implications of who benefits from insurance coverage and who bears the brunt of losses. Immerse yourself in this thought-provoking examination of the social dynamics at play as Americans confront the looming threat of flooding and economic instability.

Ready to explore the intricate interplay between climate change, insurance, and societal resilience in the face of rising waters? Dive into the pages of Underwater today and grasp the profound implications of our responses to environmental challenges. Take the first step towards understanding the moral economy of loss and gain invaluable insights into the complexities of flood insurance in the United States.

Get your copy of Underwater now! Find solutions to the challenges posed by climate change and the changing landscape of flood protection in the United States.

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this website