The Rough Guide to Climate Change, 2nd Edition

by Robert Henson

The Rough Guide to Climate Change gives the complete picture of the single biggest issue facing the planet. Cutting a swathe through scientific research and political debate, this completely updated 2 nd edition lays out the facts and assesses the options- global and personal- for dealing with the threat of a warming world. The guide looks at the evolution of our atmosphere over the last 4.5 billion years and what computer simulations of climate change reveal about our past, present, and future. This updated edition includes new information from the 2007 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and an updated politics section to reflect post-Kyoto developments. Discover how rising temperatures and sea levels, plus changes to extreme weather patterns, are already affecting life around the world. The guide unravels how governments, scientists and engineers plan to tackle the problem and includes in-depth information and lifestyle tips about what you can do to help.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Climate Change

384 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2008

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clear and well-researched view of climate change, covering both the science and the political aspects. I liked the way it discussed the differences between models and setting overall bounds on how little or large the changes are likely to be. Also a good expose of how the fossil fuel industries have worked to discredit research and influence how it is reported in the media. Despite being 10 years old, it is just as relevant now, and it's interesting to see how a few technologies (wind turbines and electric cars for example) that were fledglings when this was written are becoming mainstream.
I've had numerous interesting discussions over lunch with colleagues, sparked by points raised in this b0ok, and use it as a handy reference when asked for data.

[David Hawker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, readable summary with lots of detail, well organised and clearly explained. New edition needed but essentially as accurate in 2020.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, simple review of the current understanding of climate change science. Everyone who wants to understand the current debate over the causes, effects, and potential solutions or remediations for anthropogenic climate change would do well to start with this book, and certainly I would recommend it to the staff of any policymaker. But the science discussion isn't very deep; in fact it is surprisingly thin given the length of the book. A tough editor could have turned this into a "very short guide" to climate change. As a scientist working in another area, I was often frustrated not to have a deeper discussion of the techniques and models that climate scientists use, and the outstanding challenges that they face.

[Buddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good introduction to climate change for the educated layperson. It is very readable and covers a broad array of scientific and political issues. It is neatly divided into "The Basics," "The Symptoms," and "The Science," followed by sections on debates and solutions. The book would be ideal for anyone who wants an intelligent, balanced, and interesting primer on the climate change by a climate expert.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

loaned to me by Don Frederick

There's a deliciously ironic picture on page 50 showing the body of a heat wave victim being moved to a refrigerated truck to be transported to the morgue. The author leaves it to the reader to make the connection -- if the refrigeration had been available before the person died, they might not have died.

Very interesting and well-written book about the state of the climate and what the science indicates about the future.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most useful guide to all the different science that is tracking climate change. The book "lays out the facts and assesses the options"--as the blurb says--and is a very useful reference to have if you become engaged in a discussion about global warming.

[Rusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a revised edition of one of the best in-depth layman's guides to climate change. I use it a lot when trying to think "how do I explain....whatever." It's very balanced.

[Fairus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me 4 years to complete this book. Nuff said

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and readable, even though it needs to be updated.

[Nicola Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good grounding in the basics, although starting to feel a little dated.