Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Rough Guides (2008), Edition: 2nd, Paperback, 384 pages
Description
"Gives the complete picture of the single biggest issue facing our planet. ... lays out the facts and assesses the options - global and personal - for dealing with the threat of a warming world"--P. [4] of cover.
User reviews
LibraryThing member rybie2
The Rough Guide to Climate Change is an authoritative and up-to-date guide to the most serious issue now facing our planet. Drawing on the latest scientific evidence, it presents a comprehensive analysis of the causes of global climate change, the diverse symptoms of the phenomenon, the political
The author Robert Henson is eminently well - qualified to write such a book. He is a science journalist and meteorologist associated with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, and the author of three books on weather and climate. He has written many articles for scientific journals and magazines, is an editor of the magazine “Weatherwise” and also a frequent contributor to radio programs on weather.
The present work is actually the third edition of The Rough Guide to Climate Change; previous editions were published in 2006 and 2008. The book has expanded somewhat over the years (from 352 to 416 pages), reflecting the growth in our understanding of the nature and causes of climate change. In comparison to the first edition, the current edition also includes an expanded section on “What you can do” and a much more extensive section on resources (books and websites) for further information.
The book is organized clearly into five sections. Part 1 covers “The basics” – what global warming and climate change are, why they are of concern, and what is causing them. Part 2 considers “Symptoms” such as heat, floods, droughts, ice melting, and effects on oceans, hurricanes, and on ecosystems and agriculture. Part 3 explores the science – how we know what we know about climate change. Those who seek to deny the phenomenon for political gain would do well to read it. Part 4 is entitled “Debates and Solutions” and considers the political controversies, as well as potential political and technological solutions. (I confess that the author is more optimistic than I about the prospects for amelioration – but that attribute is one of his qualifications, since we need all the positive thinking we can get if we are to weather this crisis). Part 5 addresses the reader with a section called “What you can do”, and Part 6 offers an extensive list of books and websites for further exploration.
The book is filled with illustrations to aid the reader's understanding. These include color photographs, well- rendered diagrams, graphs, charts, and text boxes devoted to particular phenomena, issues, and aspects.
Rough Guides are well – known as comprehensive surveys of their subject material, and this work meets the high standards of the book series. I strongly recommend The Rough Guide to Climate Change, as a detailed but readable introduction to the issues of climate change and the daunting and dangerous prospects it presents to our species and our planet.
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issues, and the range of solutions available. The author Robert Henson is eminently well - qualified to write such a book. He is a science journalist and meteorologist associated with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, and the author of three books on weather and climate. He has written many articles for scientific journals and magazines, is an editor of the magazine “Weatherwise” and also a frequent contributor to radio programs on weather.
The present work is actually the third edition of The Rough Guide to Climate Change; previous editions were published in 2006 and 2008. The book has expanded somewhat over the years (from 352 to 416 pages), reflecting the growth in our understanding of the nature and causes of climate change. In comparison to the first edition, the current edition also includes an expanded section on “What you can do” and a much more extensive section on resources (books and websites) for further information.
The book is organized clearly into five sections. Part 1 covers “The basics” – what global warming and climate change are, why they are of concern, and what is causing them. Part 2 considers “Symptoms” such as heat, floods, droughts, ice melting, and effects on oceans, hurricanes, and on ecosystems and agriculture. Part 3 explores the science – how we know what we know about climate change. Those who seek to deny the phenomenon for political gain would do well to read it. Part 4 is entitled “Debates and Solutions” and considers the political controversies, as well as potential political and technological solutions. (I confess that the author is more optimistic than I about the prospects for amelioration – but that attribute is one of his qualifications, since we need all the positive thinking we can get if we are to weather this crisis). Part 5 addresses the reader with a section called “What you can do”, and Part 6 offers an extensive list of books and websites for further exploration.
The book is filled with illustrations to aid the reader's understanding. These include color photographs, well- rendered diagrams, graphs, charts, and text boxes devoted to particular phenomena, issues, and aspects.
Rough Guides are well – known as comprehensive surveys of their subject material, and this work meets the high standards of the book series. I strongly recommend The Rough Guide to Climate Change, as a detailed but readable introduction to the issues of climate change and the daunting and dangerous prospects it presents to our species and our planet.
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LibraryThing member wfzimmerman
An outstanding survey of the science, written by a staff writer at NCAR. I was motivated enough to buy this after reading a library copy. One curious production decision is that all the (many) maps and images are in grey overprinted with orange -- evidently two-color was affordable while full-color
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was not. Show Less
LibraryThing member waitingtoderail
It's nice to see a book which actually lays forth the scientific evidence for climate change and why it is happening in straightforward, easy to follow text and data. Aimed at general readers, this sort of book should put to rest any of the garbage climate change deniers spew out. Unfortunately the
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people who should most read this book are the least likely to. Glenn Beck won't tell them to, that's for sure. Show Less
LibraryThing member erickandow
Great full-color photos, showing a before and after comparison of the devastation of global warming. Well-organized and well-researched, it's a great starter book for high school and up to begin research.
LibraryThing member nancyjune
Thorough, well-organized and written, The Rough Guide to Climate Change works as both a cover-to-cover read and as a reference book. The science, history, and politics of climate change are presented in an engaging style. After reading this, you'll come away well-equipped to debate, possibly
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influence, or just have an interesting conversation about our Earth. Show Less
LibraryThing member megxers
A very strong overview of a complex topic, the most interesting approach would of course be the one not taken and the one that, based on current science and the limitations of models, cannot actually exist. The most interesting way to present a nonfiction subject like this and synthesize it with
This book was obtained through the Librarything Early Reviewers program. Thanks!
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the Rough Guide travel guide series would be to present it as a travel guide to an world ravaged by climate change, but committing to specifics that are not verifiable burnishes the entire message. A quick read that goes no deeper than an AP Environmental Science textbook on the subject, but a good reference material.This book was obtained through the Librarything Early Reviewers program. Thanks!
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LibraryThing member rtp3
Fascinating, clear, concise, well-written ... this book is one of the best books at climate change that I have seen! Easy to read and understand, it breaks down the complicated science into digestible chunks useful for understanding and relaying in conversation. While I was quite knowledgeable
I do have one complaint about the volume. The layout makes reading choppy because of the constant asides and references that can bounce a reader forward & backward through the book. In some ways, this makes the reader less likely to read the book from cover-to-cover and more likely to want to dip into the parts of interest (while using the references to check out things that interest them or that they need more explanation on).
Overall, a great book and one that should be enjoyed by anyone interested in the environment and the modern world!
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about the basic anti-change arguments and retorts, this book gives a full account of the many myths and why they are incorrect. If you know a climate denier, gift them this book (and make them promise to read it) and if they aren't convinced after finishing it, then they are an unreasonable person whom you should cut all ties with.I do have one complaint about the volume. The layout makes reading choppy because of the constant asides and references that can bounce a reader forward & backward through the book. In some ways, this makes the reader less likely to read the book from cover-to-cover and more likely to want to dip into the parts of interest (while using the references to check out things that interest them or that they need more explanation on).
Overall, a great book and one that should be enjoyed by anyone interested in the environment and the modern world!
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LibraryThing member poolays
This a fascinating reference book on a complex subject. I have not read it cover to cover, but find it interesting to read and concepts are well explained. I learn a bit more every time I pick it up.
LibraryThing member danrk
This is a well organized and very broad view of the different changes that will take place in the future as our atmosphere chemistry changes due to human-industrial processes. The best nuggets were the piece on how measurement-taking started and the development of models.
The temperature island
Worth a read, but probably better to skim. I agree that there were too many asides -- long asides.
The temperature island
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effect in high altitude areas was also something I hadn't known of before. As temperature rises around peaks, animals and plants will be trapped at higher and higher altitude with nowhere to go.Worth a read, but probably better to skim. I agree that there were too many asides -- long asides.
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LibraryThing member archidose
Before reading (most of) this book, the Rough Guides were an introduction to a place before visiting or a genre of music before listening. So having a guide to a an idea or a theory is different yet extremely effective. Henson's book is thorough, balanced, and very easy to read. The organization is
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decent, but given anything as daunting as climate change, it feels like it could use more structure, if anything as a parallel for being able to intellectually structure the various considerations and impacts of the phenomenon. Nevertheless it's a great reference and should be required reading for doubters (though they'll probably continue their opposition based on politics over scientific belief) and especially for those who want to learn more about climate change and what they can do to help alleviate its impact. Depressing at times, I'm still glad I received this Early Reviewer book. Show Less
Awards
Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize (Shortlist — 2007)
Language
Physical description
384 p.; 7.8 inches
ISBN
1858281059 / 9781858281056