Environmental Disasters

By Michael Woods and Mary B. Woods

Book Overview

From chemical leaks and oil spills to toxic pollution and nuclear accidents, environmental disasters are devastating for the people and animals in their wake. Such disasters can destroy the land and wipe out wildlife. They can contaminate buildings and even demolish entire communities. Scientists are still studying the long-term impact of environmental disasters and looking for new ways to mitigate them. with dramatic images and firsthand survivor stories--plus the latest facts and figures--this book shows you environmental disasters up close.

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0822567741
• ISBN13: 9780822567745
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Lerner Publications
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.3" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

This is a sobering look at environmental disasters ...

There are many different kinds of environmental disasters, some of which could have been prevented. In this book the authors say that "many environmental disasters happen because of human error." In Jilin, China factory workers failed to shut off a valve. The result was an explosion resulting in a large scale evacuation. People died and 100 tons of poison ended up in the Songhua River. This book tells us what environmental disasters are, their causes, where they tend to occur, how we measure their impacts, how people can help, and a chapter on how scientists envision our future. Some, such as oil spills are familiar. Others, like the killer London fog, are more unusual and not many people remember it. It was so bad that "people could not see their hands in front of their faces." Worse, yet, there was a shortage of coffins for the 4,000 people who died. From Chernobyl, to Exxon Valdez, Love Canal and more there are many examples of environmental disasters. This book was well done and the coverage sobering, but not horrific. It was interesting with many first hand accounts backed up with scientific explanation and statistics. There are numerous sidebars, a disaster zone map, a timeline, glossary, index and additional recommended books, films and websites. Did you know that when a bird is coated in oil it can actually freeze to death?