Listen to the podcast.

America: Too Close to Shore?

OUR COASTS DISPLAY MOTHER NATURE'S FINERY—AND HER FURY.  YET AMERICANS ARE FLOCKING TO OUR VULNERABLE COASTLINES. WE’LL DISCUSS LIVING ON THE EDGE—ON TODAY'S ENVIRONMINUTE.

WE’RE ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH THE POTENTIAL DEVASTATION THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY COASTAL STORMS.  YET SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE MOVE TO FLORIDA EVERY WEEK, AND FOUR OF FLORIDA'S RECENT HURRICANES WERE AMONG THE COSTLIEST EVER.

COASTAL OVERDEVELOPMENT PUTS MORE PEOPLE AND PROPERTY IN THE PATH OF STORMS. IT ALSO DEGRADES A REGION’S NATURAL ABILITY TO WEATHER THEM.

ROGER PIELKE JUNIOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO SAYS DANGEROUS STORMS ARE INEVITABLE, SO THESE COASTAL COMMUNITIES MUST CONSIDER INSURANCE AND EVACUATION PLANS AHEAD OF TIME.

PIELKE: FOR MOST PEOPLE, THESE AREN'T SUBJECTS WE GIVE A LOT OF THOUGHT TO, EXCEPT WHEN THEY OCCUR, WHICH IS OFTEN TOO LATE. SO ASK QUESTIONS. ARE YOU PREPARED? IS YOUR COMMUNITY PREPARED?

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM.     

To make sure you are prepared for a hurricane, visit http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org