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Global Weirdness: Severe Storms, Deadly Heat Waves, Relentless Drought, Rising Seas and the Weather of the Future
Finally, in clear, accessible prose, a fascinating new book that explains climate change—its implications for the future and what we can and cannot do to avoid further change—to the layperson.
Produced by Climate Central, Inc.—a highly regarded independent, non-profit journalism and research organization founded in 2008—and reviewed by scientists at major educational and re...more
Produced by Climate Central, Inc.—a highly regarded independent, non-profit journalism and research organization founded in 2008—and reviewed by scientists at major educational and re...more
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
July 24th 2012
by Pantheon
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A quick read. This is a series of 2-3 page summaries of issues surrounding global warming. A couple of examples chosen at random: "Climate change will force people to move, but whether it's a million people or a hundred million is hard to say" and "Global warming is not the ozone hole. The ozone hole is not global warming". At the end, there is an article describing the IPCC and the process by which its reports are created and made public. The articles are all vetted by climate scientists, so ar...more
My problem with almost all the literature on climate change is that you have to have a scientific background or study a bit to understand the concepts. Not this book. They joke that their target audience is 6th grade although they admit there may still be a few concepts that are too difficult for 6th graders. If you want to learn about climate change but don't want to read a whole book, leaf through this, find the 2-4 page chapter on your question and read up!
This clearly answers all the common...more
This clearly answers all the common...more
The title for Global Weirdness: Severe Storms, Deadly Heat Waves, Relentless Drought, Rising Seas and the Weather of the Future could just have well been Climate Change for Dummies in that it’s a clear and simple summary of the current state of climate science in language that a 6th grader could comprehend. It lays out in step-by-step fashion:
1. Why we know the climate is warming in a way that is unprecedented.
2. Why carbon dioxide (CO2) is the culprit.
3. How we know that human activity is the...more
1. Why we know the climate is warming in a way that is unprecedented.
2. Why carbon dioxide (CO2) is the culprit.
3. How we know that human activity is the...more
This may be one of the most depressing books I've read. Why? Because it seems to be an objective appraisal of what is happening to our planet's climate and the bottom line is absolutely frightening. Climate Central, who produced the book, is a group of scientists who apperar to have gone to great pains to present this topic in a straightforward, honest way. Climate change or Global Warming, which is correct? It does'nt matter- the climate is changing and the most prevalent characteristic of this...more
A clear, concise summary of the current science of climate change, "Global Weirdness" is a book of 60 very short essays (about three pages each) divided into three sections. Written in plain, non-scientific language, the essays cover the science of climate change, what's happening now and what's likely to happen in the future. The bottom line is that human influenced climate change is here and how bad it will be will depend on what we do to curb it. (not encouraging, given human nature). This ov...more
Regardless of your interest in climate or science, I think this is a must read for anyone living on the planet earth. Completely accessible to pretty much everyone, at any age, the information is presenting in a clear, honest, easy to read manner. This should be required reading for students. While sobering, the information on these pages must inform all aspect of decision making in our lives, from government, to city, to personal.
Also, as a speaker to groups, I find the presentation manner of s...more
Also, as a speaker to groups, I find the presentation manner of s...more
Holy &%$! We are so (^*$%@! A slim volume written in ELIF style, "Global Weirdness" describes the science behind global warming, the effects of greenhousr emissions, and the likely scenarios (best and worst case( for the the immediate and distant future. It uses lots of easily grasped metaphors (baseball statistics, the way a bathtub drains) to explain scientific concepts so laymen can understand them. Written by actual scientists (as opposed to payed oil company shills with degrees in Creat...more
This impressive-in-information but tightly written book is probably the best nonfiction work about climate change for laypeople that I've read. Written in chapters that span only 2-5 pages, the folks at Climate Central lay out the evidence for climate change, starting with an overview of how various parts of the ecosystem work and then moving into what the current peer-reviewed research shows, in the context of the basic scientific information presented earlier. One of the key points made is tha...more
http://wineandabook.com/2012/09/04/re...
One of my LEAST favorite political arguments to have with "people of alternate political persuasions" is about climate change. Over the years, I've read multiple books and articles by journalists and scientists that all arrive at the same conclusion: the climate is changing because of choices made by human beings. Yet some people STILL cling to the notion that this fact is subject to debate (?????), and this BLOWS my mind. I feel like I've read enough to u...more
One of my LEAST favorite political arguments to have with "people of alternate political persuasions" is about climate change. Over the years, I've read multiple books and articles by journalists and scientists that all arrive at the same conclusion: the climate is changing because of choices made by human beings. Yet some people STILL cling to the notion that this fact is subject to debate (?????), and this BLOWS my mind. I feel like I've read enough to u...more
ABOUT THE BOOK: Produced by Climate Central—a highly regarded independent, nonprofit journalism and research foundation founded in 2008—and reviewed by scientists at major educational and research institutions the world over, Global Weirdness summarizes, in clear and accessible prose, everything we know about the science of climate change; explains what is likely to happen to the climate in the future; and lays out in practical terms what we can and cannot do to avoid further shifts.
Sixty easy-t...more
Sixty easy-t...more
This book seems to be the answer to Thomas Friedman's request in 2010 as posted in the New York Times, that all the experts collaborate on a 50 page report called "What we Know" about climate change, written in language a sixth-grader would understand.
I read this in the Colony Bend Library in one sitting - It was the day after a particularly deis horriblus and the library is always a great refuge, not just for the homeless but for the wounded
warrior.
I read this in the Colony Bend Library in one sitting - It was the day after a particularly deis horriblus and the library is always a great refuge, not just for the homeless but for the wounded
warrior.
A clear and concise look at what carbon emissions are doing to our global environment. While easy to read, with its brief chapters, each seem to stand on their own. This led to mass repetition and redundancies. After reading it I not only feel I have an enlightened view of the "climate crisis," but also feel a surprising sense of relief. Yes, humans are effecting nature, but nature is ever changing. This adjustment is consistent and caused by various factors. That's what makes science so interes...more
A readable but thorough compendium of the evidence for global warming and the effects on the climate and life on earth. If you still need persuading or if you need ammunition for changing the opinion of doubters--here is the scientific evidence. I go for charts and graphs (One picture is worth...) and here are some compelling summaries of what is sometimes garbled in the media. The back contains a useful compilation of references by topic.
Sixty short chapters in 200 pages that summarize what the scientific consensus is regarding climate change. The goal is comprehensive treatment at a summary level. I liked the approach. Very conservative treatment of sometimes controversial subjects. In short: as models predict, the atmosphere and oceans are heating up, that this will continue, and that these changes will be increasingly detrimental on life on land or in sea.
This is an outstanding and comprehensive overview of the Climate Change issue, written in an extremely approachable style. While it did not delve as deeply into some topics as I would have liked, it succeeds in its objective of sticking to facts that are understandable and 100% defensible from a scientific perspective.
Simple. Which is its strength. Those who are well versed will not learn anything new since the data is constantly being updated. But very valuable in putting a concise explanation on sometimes confusing or commonly misunderstood facts and concepts.
Good for what it was, which is a simplified explanation of climate change for someone who needs it laid out as straight-forwardly as possible. However, for someone who's got a grip on the science already, this was pretty boring.
Feb 16, 2013
Stephanie
added it
This should be a must read for anyone who calls planet earth their home. A disturbingly honest look at what is causing the extreme changes in our weather and climate and what can realistically be done about it.
Gives a great account of the current state of science on climate change: what is causing it, what effects is it having, and what we can do about it. Not too technical. A very easy read and definitely interesting.
Climate change is never far from the public imagination. Whether championed or lampooned, conversation on the topic is rarely measured.
A new book, however, does just that. Written in straightforward prose and fact-checked by the world’s eminent climate scholars, Global Weirdness reads like The 9/11 Commission Report: all of the facts, none of the hyperbole. In four succinct sections, its authors detail the truth about climate change: what the science says, what’s actually happening, what’s likel...more
A new book, however, does just that. Written in straightforward prose and fact-checked by the world’s eminent climate scholars, Global Weirdness reads like The 9/11 Commission Report: all of the facts, none of the hyperbole. In four succinct sections, its authors detail the truth about climate change: what the science says, what’s actually happening, what’s likel...more
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A must read for anyone interested in climate change: Puts to rest a lot of incorrect arguments from both sides with scientific evidence.
Need to finish this, but it was due at the library. Interesting read, though very depressing. The short, concise chapters free of jargon made this easier to understand than some other articles and books I've read on climate change.
Written in plain easy to understand essays,, this book gives the reader a great understanding of climate change/ global warming.
Very quick read of less than three hours. Broken up into 2-3 page chapters. It tries to separate fact from fiction and does apretty good job of it.
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The basics of how we know what we know about how climate works. Written at a 6th-grade reading level with chapters 2-4 pages long -- even members of congress should be able to understand this one...
I've now read three books on global warming, this one is the second best.
Should be mandatory reading for every college student.
Clear, easy read about the basics of climate change.
We need to work harder to get things going well!
Best Book Ever! No dumb life experience stories or propaganda. Just what you need to know about climate change to make you not feel like such an idiot anymore. Thank you Climate Central. I'm not such an idiot anymore!
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