Extreme Cities: The Peril and Promise of Urban Life in the Age of Climate Change

Ashley Dawson argues in Extreme Cities (Verso Books) that cities are ground zero for climate change: They not only contribute the most carbon to the atmosphere but, since most are built on the coast, will likely be the first casualties when sea levels rise. Dawson argues that our hope lies not in sea walls, but in pursuing a more sustainable practice in the way we build and live within our societies. Dawson is a visiting professor at the Princeton Environmental Institute.