OVER THE SEAWALL Tsunamis, Cyclones, Drought, and the Delusion of Controlling Nature

Jon Vertullo narrates this ecological warning with an even tone and a deliberate pace. His thoughtful delivery allows the detailed and meticulous reporting to speak for itself, that is, without excessive drama. His task is made easier by author Miller's crisply written journalistic reports from three sites: northeast Japan, where in 2011 seawalls were no match for a massive tsunami; Bangladesh, where river embankments failed against flooding and harmed agriculture; and Arizona, where misbegotten canals channel water toward mega-tech buildings and a surf park is planned in the desert. This audiobook might have been called "When Walls Fail" because it argues convincingly that short-term solutions to climate problems have not worked and are costly, and that often letting nature be is more effective and better for the environment. A.D.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2024]