Introduction

The United States faces recurring and often catastrophic natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Despite the exceptional economic strength and technological capabilities, the U.S. has developed throughout history, the country remains highly vulnerable to these events, with disaster impacts persisting over time. The contributions to this book explore the historical factors contributing to the ongoing struggle with disaster resilience in the United States, emphasizing the social, political, and economic structures that shape vulnerability. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the volume examines governance failures, cultural perceptions of disasters, and the limitations of mitigation efforts, past and present. The chapters highlight how short-term economic priorities, media narratives, and individualistic attitudes have hindered long-term disaster preparedness and response. Divided into three sections, the book investigates institutional governance, cultural representations of disasters, and case studies of past events to understand the country’s disaster landscape comprehensively. Ultimately, this work helps to understand the historical roots of the limited role that the U.S. has played in international climate negotiations so far and underscores the urgent need for proactive risk management, policy reform, and a cultural shift toward resilience in the face of escalating climate risks.