Review by Choice Review
There is considerable evidence that because of the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other aspects of industrialization, a series of so-called "greenhouse" gases is accumulating in the atmosphere at rapid, possibly nonlinear rates. Sophisticated computer simulations suggest that these effects will result in a warming of the average global temperature. This volume is intended to introduce the scientific reasons for these predictions and to investigate the potential impacts on global society. The 21 chapters are divided into 5 major sections: The Challenge of Global Warming; Biotic Systems; Physical Impacts; The Greenhouse Gases; and Policy Response. Some 27 pages are devoted to the index and "Further Readings." The book's significance lies in the interactions between basic scientific questions and the role of government in responding to the issue of global warming. The chapters are contributed by key figures in the various fields (e.g., Roger Revelle, Wally Broecker, John Firor). This volume could be a central resource in a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses dealing with facets of global change; it would also be a useful addition to more general public libraries because of the significance of the issues and public concern. J. T. Andrews University of Colorado
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Made up of scientific conference papers and other formal pronouncements, this reader reviews current scientific and policy issues concerning atmospheric changes due to air pollution. Featuring the input of meteorologists, chemists, biologists, and geophysicists, the text presents their contributions in sections devoted to biotic consequences of global warming, the effects upon physical systems such as the soil and water supplies, the global greenhouse gases, and public policy responses. Cause for alarm is creditably evoked, yet the experts concede that cycles of warming and cooling are documented by the fossil record and that ice formations provide evidence that the planet has recovered from similar situations in the past. Recommended for larger science collections. Bibliography; to be indexed. --George Hampton
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
There is general agreement among climatologists that global warming is underway. This book is a collection of articles that discusses the causes and effects of this phenomenon and offers some policy suggestions to respond to it. Most of the articles, written by experts and intended for policy makers and other nonscientists, were compiled from proceedings and reports from conferences, Congressional testimony, and other sources. The book's mixture of styles and its repetitiousness does not recommend it to the general reader; however, as a good, wide-ranging compilation of up-to-date, hard-to-get information on a topic of critical importance, it is recommended for academic and larger public libraries.-- Joseph Hannibal, Cleveland Museum of Natural History (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
