The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: A Guide to the Debate

by Andrew E. Dessler, Edward A. Parson

The second edition of Dessler and Parson's acclaimed book provides an integrated treatment of the science, technology, economics, policy, and politics of climate change. Aimed at the educated non-specialist, and at courses in environmental policy or climate change, the book clearly lays out the scientific foundations of climate change, the issues in current policy debates, and the interactions between science and politics that make the climate change debate so contentious and confusing. This new edition is brought completely up to date to reflect the rapid movement of events related to climate change. In addition, all sections have been improved, in particular a more thorough primer on the basic science of climate change is included. The book also now integrates the discussion of contrarian claims with the discussion of current scientific knowledge; extends the discussion of cost and benefit estimates; and provides an improved glossary.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Environment, Climate Change, Politics

230 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2005

Reviews

[Eliza Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dessler and Parson’s book provided a great introduction to climate change. For the most part, the work is thorough in its exposition of climate issues from both the science and policy angles. My main complaint is that the book could be a bit repetitive at times. Regardless, I will certainly use this book as a reference in the future, and I recommend it to anyone who is seeking to learn more about the climate debate.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly readable introduction to (predictably) the science and politics behind climate change, Dessler and Parson present a comprehensive overview of the issue's contours and significance. Written before the IPCC released their Fourth Assessment Report, and therefore lacking a degree of currency enjoyed by more recent publications, their book covers the terrain of climate skepticism, risk assessment, the state of international cooperation (pre-COP15), and theories of science. If you're looking to gain a deep insight into the anticipated impacts of climate change or an assessment of current mitigation options, this would not be the preferred source. Instead, check out reports published by Resources for the Future, the World Resources Institute, or the Kennedy School's Belfer Center. Still, for covering less than 200 pages, I would highly recommend this to anyone seeking a standalone, intelligent primer on the issue that will most gravely challenge this century's policymakers.

[Susan Arra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and easy reading!

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now this book is a decent introduction into the state of scientific knowledge about climate trends as well as the politics surrounding the issue. It is a sober, non-shrill discussion of what we think we know, how we know it, and what we might expect in the future. I have one serious complaint. At one point the authors reproduce the ever popular graph that shows C02 levels and temperature trending together over the last several hundred thousand years. The authors point out that it is "likely" that the temperature rises happened first and caused C02 increases, and then they add that such an observation does not "refute" the claim that rising CO2 could cause temp increases. True, it doesn't refute it, but it would mean that those graphs showing C02 and Temp running together through history are COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT to the claim that increases in CO2 cause temp increases. Note that I am not saying that the causality cannot run in both directions, but basic logic tells us that A causes B is not evidence in any way whatsoever that B causes A. It does not serve the ends of those concerned well when they use bogus arguments to convince us; furthermore, I would have liked to have seen a discussion of the scientific evidence that the mechanism of temp increases of late are CO2 increases. The argument in this book is basically that the other known causes of climate change are unlikely, but to those of us who are not scientists it is not clear how strong the belief is that it is CO2 (along with water vapor) that keeps the sun's rays hugging the earth.

[غياث وهب · Rating 4 out of 5]

يطرح الكاتب كيفية تكوين البيوت الزجاجية التي هي المصطلح للاحتباس الحراري وتغير درجات الحرارة على مر العصور وكوننا غير مسيطرين على شدة الشمس والتغيرات العبقية