Climate Change: A Wicked Problem
Complexity and Uncertainty at the Intersection of Science, Economics, Politics, and Human Behavior

A pragmatic, no-holds-barred assessment of climate change, for anyone wishing to be fully informed on the topic.

Frank P. Incropera (Author)

9781107521131, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 September 2015

364 pages, 10 b/w illus. 11 colour illus. 10 tables
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.62 kg

'A masterful job, comprehensively, objectively, and convincingly covering the different aspects of the important subject … written in a lucid, approachable style intended for 'anyone who is earnestly seeking to increase the breadth of his or her knowledge and understanding of one of the twenty-first century's most contentious issues'. … The three forewords … rightly praise the author's tenacity, objectivity, and foresight in studying the 'wicked' problem, offering an elective course on the broad subject, then writing the remarkable book. … Frank's labor of love is praiseworthy messianic. In my opinion, this book deserves much more attention than the one it has already garnered. A New York Times' review, a best-seller listing, and readership that approached that of an autobiography penned by a celebrity would all be warranted. The treatise is superbly researched, organized, written, and presented. I enthusiastically recommend the book for all who care about the future of our planet.' Mohamed Gad-el-Hak, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Journal

Under one cover, Frank P. Incropera provides a comprehensive, objective and critical assessment of all issues germane to the climate change debate: science, technology options, economic ramifications, cultural and behavioural issues, the influence of special interests and public policy, geopolitics and ethical dimensions. The underlying science is treated in depth, but in an approachable and accessible manner. A strong case is made for the reality of anthropogenic climate change, while confronting the range of issues that remain uncertain and deconstructing opposing views. Incropera assesses the strengths and weaknesses of technology options for mitigating the effects of climate change, analyzes nontechnical factors - economic, cultural and political - and provides an in-depth treatment of ethical implications. This book is intended for those wishing to become fully informed about climate change and is designed to provide the reader with a firm foundation for drawing his or her own conclusions.

Foreword Tony Earley
Foreword Bud Peterson
Foreword Arun Majumdar
1. Energy, economics, and climate change
2. The Earth's climate system
3. Greenhouse gases
4. Global warming
5. Consequences of global warming
6. Mitigation, adaptation, and geoengineering
7. Public policy options
8. The politics of global warming: a history lesson and future prospects
9. Dissenting opinions: the great hoax
10. The ethics of climate change
11. A way forward
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Civil engineering, surveying & building [TN], Energy technology & engineering [TH], Sustainability [RNU], Climate change [RNPG], The environment [RN], Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Earth sciences [RB]