Charleston

More about the book

An unflinching look at a beautiful, endangered, tourist-pummeled, and history-filled American city. Rising sea levels and severe storms will force at least thirteen million Americans to move from coastal areas in the coming decades. In Charleston, South Carolina, denial, boosterism, and complacency about racial issues exacerbate the situation; the city lacks a plan to protect its most vulnerable residents. This narrative explores Charleston's central role in America's racial history and its current precarious position as climate change looms. While seven million mostly white tourists admire the city's charm, the reality is stark. The book weaves together science, narrative history, and personal stories from Black Charlestonians, detailing the city's tumultuous past and the escalating risks it faces. As a bellwether for other coastal towns, Charleston exemplifies the challenges of gentrification and inadequate planning for a thriving future. Key figures include Rev. Joseph Darby, a respected Black minister, and Michelle Mapp, a promising Black leader, alongside Jacob Lindsey, a young white city planner navigating development pressures. Their voices highlight the extraordinary risks the city confronts. Ultimately, the narrative serves as a clarion call for change, emphasizing the need for higher, drier, and more connected communities where all citizens can thrive.