Global Warming
The Complete Briefing

Sir John Houghton's definitive, full-colour guide to climate change is fully up-to-date with the latest IPCC findings.

John Houghton (Author)

9781107463790, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 7 May 2015

396 pages, 173 colour illus. 15 tables 110 exercises
24.6 x 19 x 1.8 cm, 0.86 kg

'This book, accurately subtitled The Complete Briefing, summarizes 4,700-plus pages of the latest IPCC assessment. It covers atmospheric physics and past climate variation, explaining the relevancy of paleoclimatic changes to current global warming. The author goes on to describe the increasingly sophisticated climate models and the great differences between them and models for meteorological forecasting. Houghton also explores the impacts expected as the climate warms, including the actions and technologies that might limit those changes. Because the climate is already changing, the author surveys adaptation required of ecosystems and our civilization, even if the causes of climate change are eliminated soon. The book is clearly written, and excellent graphics make the voluminous data understandable to a wide audience. Houghton appropriately dedicates the book to his grandchildren, a viewpoint that policy makers should note … Highly recommended.' M. K. Cleaveland, Choice

How much of global warming is due to human activities? How far will it be possible to adapt to changes of climate? Sir John Houghton's definitive, full colour guide to climate change answers these questions and more by providing the best and latest information available, including the latest IPCC findings. The simple, logical flow of ideas gives an invaluable grounding in the science, as well as the physical and human impacts of climate change, for undergraduate students across a wide range of disciplines. Accessible to both scientists and non-scientists, the text avoids mathematical equations and includes more technical material in boxes, while simple figures help students to understand the conclusions the science leads to without being overwhelmed by vast amounts of data. Questions for students to consider and test their understanding are included in each chapter, along with carefully selected further reading to expand their knowledge.

Preface
1. Global warming and climate change
2. The Greenhouse effect
3. The Greenhouse gases
4. Climates of the past
5. Modelling the climate
6. Climate change for the twenty-first century and beyond
7. The impacts of climate change
8. Why should we be concerned?
9. Weighing the uncertainty
10. A strategy for action to avoid dangerous climate change
11. Energy and transport for the future
12. The global village
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental monitoring [TQD], Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Environmental management [RNF], Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R], Environmental economics [KCN]