Global Warming For Dummies

by Elizabeth May, Zoë Caron

The past decade has seen warmer than usual winters in North America, with the past winter being the warmest yet. Worldwide, glaciers are melting, and warming oceans have brought fiercer and fiercer hurricane seasons. The earth’s climate is changing, and people are worried. In a recent Angus Reid Global Scan poll of 30 countries, 90 percent of respondents felt that global warming was a serious or somewhat serious problem. Ninety-one percent of respondents in Canada, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom expressed concern about the future of the environment in general.

Media coverage of global warming has increased as well: Time magazine ran a cover story on the issue the week of April 3 with the headline, “Be Worried. Be Very Worried.” Al Gore’s newly-released documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, is bringing significant attention to the topic. The National Academy of Sciences recently presented a report, commissioned by the House Science Committee, that stated that global warming is real, and that “human activities are responsible for much of the recent warming.”

Global Warming For Dummies will appeal to readers daunted by Tim Flannery’s The Weather Makers or who wanted to know more than Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth offered. Although the book will not sugar-coat this serious topic, its friendly, conversational style and upbeat attitude will entice readers who are interested in the subject but have been reluctant to read about it previously.

Global Warming For Dummies explains the science behind climate change, helping readers to understand this challenging subject. The book looks at the major contributors to climate change, and considers the possible long-term effects of a warmer planet. Readers will also explore solutions to the problem, from what governments and industry can do, to what they can do at home and how they can get involved.

Genres: Science, Politics

Paperback

First published October 20, 2008

About the author

Elizabeth Evans May OC MP, is an American-born Canadian environmentalist, writer, activist, lawyer, and politician currently serving as leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands. She was the executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada from 1989 to 2006.

May became a Canadian citizen in 1978. She currently resides in Sidney, British Columbia with her daughter, Victoria Cate May Burton. She is studying theology at Saint Paul University, and describes herself as a practising Anglican.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does what it says it will do and helps with gaining a layman's understanding of a complicated topic.

[Timothy Favelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great present for your jackass uncles.

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping....but was quickly disappointed. After reading some 'skeptical' points of view, this was the best I could find at the local library to represent the 'consensus' view. unforthunately it only regurgitated the IPCC view with little or no scientific substance to substantiate it. After dispensing with the 'evidence', the authors move on to outline the problems and solutions. I think many of the solutions are good regardless of CO2; the problems are largely projections dependent on ongoing warming, partly on ongoing poor management/engagement with the environment. I need to find something better than this.

[Su]

Its not something I totally believe in.