The Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change

by Robert Henson

Everybody can be a thinking person when it comes to climate change, and this book is a perfect roadmap.  Start a web search for “climate change” and the first three suggestions are “facts,” “news,” and “hoax.” The Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change is rooted in the first, up to date on the second, and anything but the last. Produced by one of the most venerable atmospheric science organizations, it is a must-read for anyone looking for the full story on climate change.



Using global research and written with nonscientists in mind, the Guide breaks down the issues into straightforward “Symptoms” covers signs such as melting ice and extreme weather, while “Science” lays out what we know and how we figured it out. “Debates” tackles the controversy and politics, while “Solutions” and “Actions” discuss what we can do as individuals and communities to create the best possible future. Full-color illustrations offer explanations of everything from how the greenhouse effect traps heat to which activities in everyday life emit the most carbon. Special-feature boxes zoom in on locations across the globe already experiencing the effects of a shifting climate.



The Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change combines years of data with recent research, including conclusions from the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This reference provides the most comprehensive, yet accessible, overview of where climate science stands today, acknowledging controversies but standing strong in its stance that the climate is changing— and something needs to be done.



The Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change is a full update and revision of Robert Henson’s The Rough Guide to Climate Change and is now published through the American Meteorological Society, with distribution through University of Chicago Press. 

Genres: Climate Change, Science, Nonfiction, Environment, Global Warming

516 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2014

Reviews

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and very understandable overview of the current state of climate science. I bought a copy of this for all of the employees in my office, and some have even read it.

[Carl Ehnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The overwhelming scientific consensus is that climate change is happening, humans have contributed to rapidly heating global temperatures, and now the challenge is to make the necessary choices on a global basis to maintain the viability of the earth as an environment suitable for human habitation.

However, the science behind climate change is complex and difficult for a lay audience to comprehend. This book does an outstanding job of presenting the research and conclusions of leading climate experts and in terms that are understandable for most readers. Also, it helpfully presents viewpoints of climate change "deniers" and explains how current data supports the consensus. It also provides various climate change scenarios and their impact on agriculture, sea levels, droughts, floods along with other implications.

If you're looking for an objective and thorough explanation of the current thinking of climate change by world's leading authorities, this Guide is a great place to start.

[Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is simply the most comprehensive guide to the science behind anthropogenic climate change. It's formatted well and can be used as a textbook or as layperson's guide. Henson does a nice job explaining every aspect of the problem, from oceans to ice sheets to volcanoes and the atmosphere, and I like how he explains climate "controversies" of the past such as the "1970s ice age" and the "climategate emails" for what they are: Distractions from the reality of our warming planet.

My only knock? No freakin' footnotes. Seriously, you would think such a scientifically rigorous book would want to include its citations.

[Kevin Fulton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was disappointing. It starts strong, and, indeed, it’s info about causes of climate change and it’s current effects is both accurate and moderate in tone. I appreciate that it doesn’t panic while still treating climate change as a serious problem.
But, the rest of the book is rather weak. The author’s analysis of alternative and renewable energies is misleadingly simplistic. It ignores power density, brushes over the fact that renewable energies raise the cost of electricity and tend to be unreliable. It only superficially engages with nuclear energy, highlighting past meltdowns while paying only the slightest lip-service to new reactors (that can’t meltdown).
All in all, the first section of the book is worth the read, if you already happen to have the book. Otherwise, I’m sure there are better books out there that can take the threat of climate change seriously without trying to make you panic and can give well-research overview of alternative energies and their environmental and economic affects. This book only manages the first.

[Hank · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been looking for a book that objectively assesses and presents the case for climate change in a thorough and scientific manner and this was closest I've come across but still altogether too cursory and inclined towards changing behavior rather than genuinely assessing evidence to satisfy my aim. I gave up on it about a quarter of the way in.

For the record, I assume the general thesis that human beings are influencing the global climate to some extent through delivery of unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is likely correct. But, on the other hand, I am rather skeptical that we can predict the impact with anything like the accuracy I see purported in almost every book I read on the subject.

Still looking for the Ted Talk Lecture series that Bill Gates referred to in his recent book on the topic if anyone reads this and can send me a link in the comments. I'd say his book comes the closest to objectivity in all those I've read, but, really nothing near what I'm looking for in terms of data an analysis.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anybody who is wanting to know more about how climate change is affecting our planet.


This book has been meticulously researched by the author and contains all the relevant facts and statistics to back-up the main argument of global warming.


So if you are looking for a book on climate change and how it is and will affect our planet in the future, then look no further than this book by Robert Henson. This book will surely open your eyes to what is happening around us, and provide you with all the necessary information needed to form an opinion, on this most important subject, (which affects us all) as it has for
me.

[Marc Menz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well laid out book for anyone looking to learn more about climate change. It's balanced, scientific and approachable. The chapters are laid out impeccably, and introduce the reader to all aspects of climate change. Granted, the 'impacts' section is a bit of a slog (fires, droughts, floods etc) however this is more to do with the depressing topic than with the author. I like that particular topics and nuanced and balanced, and the author does a good job of explaining where and why some evidence is scant (such as glaciers). Highly recommend it.

[Mike Nesemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Not a quick read -- he certainly seems to try and cover all the arguments against climate change. At over 450 pages it's very thorough and if you are just looking for a brief summation, this isn't your book. This book was recommended to me by a pair of climate specialists and if you want to delve deeply, this is the book. One thing I noted is that although it's relatively new (published 2014), parts have already been overtaken by events.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great summary book of current climate change science and policy in all its facets. It's thorough yet approachable for a general science audience. The list of scientists who have fact-checked it is super impressive: many world leaders in their respective areas! I (and a few others around the US) teach an undergraduate, introductory level course on climate change with this book as the primary text, even though it's not a textbook. I think it works very well for this context.

[Timothy Eric Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent intro to climate change

This book is well written, balanced, and comprehensive. It covers the subject from pretty much every angle -- the science, the politics, what you can do on a personal level. As someone new to climate activism, it was exactly the kind of book I was looking for.

[Connor Stack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super comprehensive, yet very approachable. Even though it was 5 years old when I read it, I still found it very relevant.

I definitely recommend skimming most of it and digging into the sections you're most curious about. It would be nice to keep around as a reference (I rented it from the library).

Very appealing layout and graphic design. Succinct language.

[Genie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on various areas surrounding climate change-- the science, the politics, the public policy. Very readable and understandable, as well. And I trust it and him because it is published by the American Meteorological Society. Highly recommend.

[Christy George · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the first "textbook" that I have ever read cover to cover, easily. It is written in an accessible, conversational style. The subject matter is interesting and terrifying. I'm really glad I was required to take this class. It has opened my eyes in a lot of ways and taught me so much.

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s informational. As expected, not the most riveting read. I read it for a climate change class. I learned quite a bit. I wouldn’t choose to read it in my free time but lots of information is packed into this book.

[Madison Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for school so I mean I really don't have an opinion if I didn't like it or not. I guess I could say it helped me with my essay on climate change so.... yeah

[em]

Very informative and important read!

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A dishonest text: because, as the title states, once you think like Henson, he will certify you as a thinking person. Yet, just copying one's beliefs should be the precise opposite of a thinker.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Must Read book about climate change. This is NOT an activist book. It presents facts and history in a clear manner. It is NOT fearmongering, except to the extent that the material itself makes one worried. It presents information about the perspectives people have who are not convinced of climate change. It is extremely thorough. I highly recommend this book for people who are not convinced that climate change is real - if you read this book and you STILL don't think that, I would certainly be interested in WHY. And it's great for people who already are convinced, but would like to understand the facts and not the hysteria. And we all could benefit from hysteria-free information.

[Morten Greve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, balanced and comprehensive overview of a vitally important research area. I only have one complaint: Involuntarily, the text tends to underline the inability of conventional Western science (“the scientific method”) to grasp a complex system such as the Earth System, shot through with non-linearities and potential tipping-points looming around the corner. This inability may end up costing us dearly...

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is... fine. It's functionally a dictionary for the climate illiterate, with not a lot of depth per topic. Works for what it is, but not recommended except for the most climate skeptical.

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very thorough explanation of climate change. It covers the history (one of the first articles about global warming came out in 1950), the scientific facts, figures, evidence (too detailed for me to read), the controversy and how it became controversial (money, and the insistence of the media on balanced reporting even though there are very few anti-global warming scientists). My favorite part of the book is how the author counters all of the controversies and makes an indisputable case that the globe is warming. Maybe I'll send this book to my state representative who doesn't believe global warming is happening.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good overview of the evidence for global climate change and its potential effects on the environment, animals, and people - with some tips on what people can do about it at the end. Environmental sociologists will enjoy reading about the history of climate politics - something I found a little tiresome. The section on climate science and models gives a basic sketch of the measurements and models underpinning the theory.

[Joan]

DNF. This book is so packed with information, delivered in such small print, that I am spending more effort on the reading than on absorbing the information. The information seems solid, based on numerous studies. It is just too dense for me to keep reading when I have so many other titles waiting to be read.

[Howard Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best single-volume introduction to climate change that I’ve come across. This guide does an excellent job explaining the science beyond this great crisis. Essential reading.

[daniel chesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published by the American Meteorological Society. The " Change" challenge to mankind and ramifications. Reads like textbook full of interesting and instructive graphs. Instruct yourself.

[Sally Honeycutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, comprehensive source for learning about climate change.