Global Warming: The Complete Briefing

by John Theodore Houghton

John Houghton explores the scientific basis of global warming and the likely impacts of climate change on human society in this comprehensive guide to the subject. He then addresses the action that could be taken by governments, industry and individuals to mitigate the effects of global warming. Previous Edition Hb (1997): 0-521-62089-9 Previous Edition Pb (1997): 0-521-62932-2

Genres: Science, Climate Change, Nonfiction, Environment, Politics, Global Warming, Earth Sciences

382 pages, Paperback

First published April 16, 2009

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent introductory textbook to global warming and climate change. I was hoping for a little more depth in the atmospheric physics sections (I'm geeky that way), but what Houghton presents is more than adequate for a non-major college-level class. Plus the book more than makes up for it in the breadth of topics -- paleoclimatology, international negotiations, climate impacts, sustainable energy. It's all here, and while there are other books that delve deeper into each of those topics, this is a good intro to the field.

Sadly my version is from 2004, which means that it's already quite dated, lacking even the already-aged 2007 4th IPCC report findings. Supposedly the 2009 version is more to-the-minute, so be sure to check that one out.

[Siddharth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book that goes over all the science behind Climate change and points out the "consensus" that people are always talking about. This book underscores the complexity of all topics by assigning a probability to each assertion that can be made: Is global warming happening? Are greenhouse gases the primary cause of global warming? Was the past decade 2000-2010 the hottest decade in the past 1400 years? Will global warming, if it is happening, lead to rising sea levels? and so on ... Each question is answered in detail with an extremely helpful summary of the scientific methods allowed. Houghton does not side step any question at any point in time: He points out the uncertainties without flinching and makes an effort to ensure that the reader gets a full picture.

My conclusion from reading this book (if I was forced to reduce it to a single line), confidence levels are my own and will change in the future as I gain more evidence about what's going on and read more points of view:

- Global warming might be happening (medium confidence);
- The root cause of global warming might be the greenhouse gases that have been emitted due to human activity (medium-high confidence);
- Humanity, writ large, should take action against global warming;
- The action will vary a LOT depending on the growth of a given country (countries that have not grown should burn more coal to lift themselves out of poverty, while countries that are comfortable should spend more on solar / wind / nuclear and reduce their emissions)

Most of this nuance is lost in the activism that is going on lately related to this topic. My sincere hope is that everyone reads this book and disregards most of what activists are saying on this subject.

Houghton keeps a tight handle on the subject in the first half of the book. As the book starts to talk about things that can be done and policy proposals, the author starts to lose that control and the book starts meandering. Nevertheless, it is a really good starter book on Climate change, the science behind it and the philosophical reason that we should act now DESPITE not knowing anything with high confidence.

To ensure that my reading is balanced between pro- and anti- climate-change action, I am going to read The Real Global Warming Disaster: Is the obsession with 'climate change' turning out to be the most costly scientific blunder in history?.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an essential book for anyone who wants to move past the media hype on this important subject. It covers the breadth of the science in an accessible manner, and chapter 8 looks at why we should be concerned. Houghton discusses his personal belief there, and successfully brings issues of religion and ethics into the debate - something which, as he points out, is all too often deliberately left out of the discussion.

[Avijit Das]

I want to know about what's the causes of global warming. So, i badly need to help this book.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful book in separating fact from fiction in the climate science discussion. Sir John Houghton has chaired the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which collects climate research data and seeks to provide non-politicized assessments and recommendations for countries around the world. Houghton, for those of you in the believing community, also happens to be a deeply committed Christian.

The book was published in 2004 and some climate scientist friends indicate that recent data only strengthen its conclusions. Basically, the book begins by describing the dynamics of climate systems and the effects of various greenhouse gasses on those systems. It then details the increases in these gasses in the last century, concurrent with the burning of much of our fossil fuel reserves, demonstrates that the rise in temperatures that are concurrent with this increase are anthropogenic, and then projects various future scenarios based on business as usual as well as under efforts to reduce these gasses.

What is most sobering to me is the long life of CO2 in the atmosphere--up to 100 years to reduce concentrations even with immediate reductions. Equally sobering are the impacts on regional climates, coral reefs, glaciers (most of which will totally disappear in the next century, eliminating much needed water runoffs), sea levels and coastal communities and the potential for increased global conflicts.

Concluding sections deal with possible countermeasures as well as ethical bases for making such changes. This does indeed provide a "complete" briefing for someone who wants to acquaint themselves with the science in this area.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're tired of wondering how much to believe or doubt about global warming, and you only have the patience or will to read one relatively slim volume on the subject, it MUST be this book. Houghton, former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, provides an accessible and honest summary of what we know, what we're still unsure of, how the data is collected, what the data is telling us, and different ways it can be interpreted. He addresses areas of scientific uncertainty, such as the weaknesses in the incredibly complex computer models used to forecast the effects of global warming, fearlessly and honestly. A must-read for anyone who is tired of pleading ignorance on climate change. Its major drawback is that the science is a bit dated at this point and it badly needs a new edition to be published.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was my bible in my last year of study, well written with clear scientific evidence for the issues raised. This book also discusses the arguements against global warming and explains how these are disproved by science.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative-but dry. Reads more like a textbook

[Michael De Paola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very informative, though a bit dated and reads like a text book. This was rough. Time for brain candy!

[Joan]

It is just too hard for me. I give up.

[Savanee Nre · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Jood · Rating 5 out of 5]

defniition of global warming

[Sajid]

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