Climate Change, A Barrie Pittock, 9780643098381

Climate Change

The Science, Impacts and Solutions

SECOND EDITION

A Barrie Pittock

Illustrations
368 pages
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING

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It is widely accepted in the scientific community that climate change is a reality, and that changes are happening with increasing rapidity. In this second edition, leading climate researcher Barrie Pittock revisits the effects that global warming is having on our planet, in light of ever-evolving scientific research. Presenting all sides of the arguments about the science and possible remedies, Pittock examines the latest analyses of climate change, such as new and alarming observations regarding Arctic sea ice, the recently published IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, and the policies of the new Australian Government and how they affect the implementation of climate change initiatives.

New material focuses on massive investments in large-scale renewables, such as the kind being taken up in California, as well as many smaller-scale activities in individual homes and businesses which are being driven by both regulatory and market mechanisms. The book includes extensive endnotes with links to ongoing and updated information, as well as some new illustrations.

While the message is clear that climate change is here (and in some areas, might already be having disastrous effects), there is still hope for the future, and the ideas presented here will inspire people to take action. Climate Change: The Science, Impacts and Solutions is an important reference for students in environmental or social sciences, policy makers, and people who are genuinely concerned about the future of our environment.

Expert scientific description of the problem of climate change, warts and all
Answers the frequently asked questions on climate change including ‘How do we know it is really happening?’, ‘What will the effects be?’ and ‘What can we do about it?’
Provides a truly global perspective, with sections focussing on the key international players
Updated beyond the IPCC report of 2007
Clear discussion of the potential for rapid sea-level rise associated with Greenland and Antarctica
New assessment of the need for stricter emissions reductions on the one hand and of new technologies to achieve this on the other
Recognition of new developments in transport, especially the potential of compressed air cars and improved public transport

"I found this text to be both riveting in the writing, and delightful in the explosion of ideas and information encompassed. I feel this will become a resource for all geography and science teachers, and perhaps a number of our politicians, to generate the will to do that which is necessary."
John Collins, Geographical Education, Vol 22, 2009

"One of the book’s great strengths is an entire chapter devoted to discussing the ‘uncertainty’ surrounding future predictions and modelling, often cited by skeptics as a reason to ignore the issues. The greatest strength of this textbook is to get teachers beyond the simplistic view of ‘sea levels will rise and people will drown’ and to educate them on the wide range of effects that will be experienced. Packed with summaries of the most recent data, it should be recommended reading for anyone planning a unit on climate change."
Teaching Science, Vol 56, No 3, September 2010

"The second edition is wide-ranging and comprehensive on the issue of human-induced global warming. He has tried for objectivity and has mostly been successful."
Michael J Rowland, Australian Archaeology, Number 69, December 2009

"The book confirmed and greatly embellished my knowledge on climate change, the atmosphere and plenty more… If you are after a comprehensive summary of climate change that spans the science of climate change, its possible impacts, mitigation and adaptation strategies, through to the policies and politics, then this book provides it."
Kelvin Montagu, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, Vol 16, December 2009

"With 12 chapters in a very readable style, and extensive and authoritative endnotes, it would work well as a university textbook. In general, this is an excellent piece of work, comprehensive and well-integrated…I certainly plan to prescribe it for our own undergraduate courses in climate change."
Ralf Buckley, Austral Ecology, Vol 34, 2009

"…the volume is a terrific source book for the entire gamut of climate change impacts and adaptations. The book will serve as a useful compendium for active researchers but it is written in plain enough English to be accessible to policy makers. In short, I am optimistic that this book will be widely used…"
Kevin Walsh, Bulletin of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society Vol 22, 2009

"If anyone has been worried by claims from climate change sceptics, the answers are almost certainly here. It is a voice for sanity on the subject, a compelling read and a call for action."
Phil Ingamells, Park Watch, June 2009

"An up-to-date and accurate assessment of human influences on climate change can be found in Climate Change: The Science, Impacts and Solutions."
Howard Bridgman, Newcastle Herald, May 2009

"…the second edition of Climate Change stands out from the rest both for its Australian origin, and because the author is someone who really knows the subject."
Australasian Science, June 2009

Barrie Pittock led the Climate Impact Group in CSIRO until his retirement in 1999. He contributed to or was a lead author of all four major reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He was awarded a Public Service Medal in 1999 and is a CSIRO Honorary Fellow.

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