Dire Predictions: Understanding Climate Change

by Michael E. Mann, Lee R. Kump

Periodic reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) evaluate the risk of climate change brought on by humans. But the sheer volume of scientific data remains inscrutable to the general public, particularly to those who may still question the validity of climate change. In just over 200 pages, this practical text presents and expands upon the essential findings of the IPCC's 5th Assessment Report in a visually stunning and undeniably powerful way to the lay reader. Scientific findings that provide validity to the implications of climate change are presented in clear-cut graphic elements, striking images, and understandable analogies.

Genres: Science, Climate Change, Nonfiction, Environment, Ecology, Reference, Planetary Science

212 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite well done. It's aimed at a non-technical audience, but it doesn't water things down. They give clear and well-grounded explanations, fully involve the uncertainty in climate modeling (and explain why there is uncertainty), and talk about what can be done. The layout is catchy too.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a full fiction book, rather than a collection of arguments with colorful graphs. Still, there's been a lot of work put into making the climate change arguments accessible to the general public, even if I can't determine how much of it is just digesting the IPCC reports.

Overall, an easy read but maybe the authors could have saved us all the repetitions, in the case they realize that there is no need for indoctrination. And a bit more concise materials on alternative energies could have helped too.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mann provides a concise explanation of the causes, and the consequences, of climate change. He devotes roughly 20% of this short book to each of five sections: (1) climate change basics; (2) climate change projections; (3) impacts; (4) vulnerability and adaptation; and (5) solutions. The sections are primarily summaries, and don't get too much into details, so if you're curious about all the issues, it's a good overview of the issues.

[Taryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this for possible use for my class I teach. Pretty good information; broken up into quick 2-page blocks so nothing drags on, clear and concise.
However, this breaking-up also makes it a bit choppy and disconnected to read.

[OvercommuniKate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Global Change 170A1, Professor Steven W Leavitt on adaptation versus mitigation.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear explanations of many different aspects of the climate change story, from the deep sea to the upper atmosphere, agriculture, industry, transportation, plants, animals, microbes, clues in ancient ice and rocks, temperature, precipitation, acidity, air currents, water currents, and on, and on. Repeatedly raised questions the skeptics have voiced, and addressed them in a straightforward and nonjudgmental fashion.

The colorful layout is very engaging, but occasionally makes the text a little difficult to read. The way each page spread features a complete subject, never spilling across a page turn, makes it very approachable. It's no longer the most up-to-date information, being several years old now, but it's still very relevant.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information on global warming. Many charts and photos. It helps explains the various models that have been developed and what criteria was used.

You start to feel depressed and helpless. But the author does cover things that can be done now to help mitigate and slow some of the climate change effects.

Recommended for everyone. This is our planet, we all should care about it and act appropriately.

[Leo Kerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clear explanation by a major climate scientist of the mechanism that cause climate change be they natural or caused by humans, the consequences of rising temperature, and the policies that need to adopted to minimize it. It is heavily illustrated, and my only qualm is that the illustrations that overlap the text frequently make it difficult to read.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

We ignore these predictions at our peril. They take into account all the counter-arguments I've heard. Overall, a rather objective treatment of a subject which shouldn't be soft-pedaled and left to the pundits, who are basically shills for old, polluting, inefficient industries.

[David Arch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit out of date but a straightforward presentation of the data predicting increased temperatures worldwide caused by increased CO2 generation. And we continue to do very little to mitigate the problem

[Steen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, very simple to understand. But, their suggestions for fixing the problems are vague and they don't provide ways we can actually do the solutions.

[Jeffrey Philips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good background information, but it did not give enough examples of how an individual can lessen his carbon footprint.

[Andreu Escrivà · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben editat, clar, didàctic però profund. El llibre que recomane a tots aquells qui vullguen aproximar-se al canvi climàtic.

[Ryan Gainey (ryan_Gainey StoryGraph) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for all voters. Accessible, straightforward, and unforgettable.

[Ac · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only good part of this was the images. This books sucks.

[Tristin Boso · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very informational text. It really helped me to understand the implications of global warming/climate change. My only critique is that there was a lot of repetition and contradictions.

[hmmm]

this global warming thing...I'm not into it

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intermediate level material, presented in an engaging visual format.