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Climate Change Science: A Primer for Sustainable Development
How will future climates be different from today’s world―and what consequences will changes in climate have for societies and their development strategies? This book is a primer on the essential science for grasping the workings of climate change and climate prediction. It is accessible for readers with little to no background in science, with an emphasis on the needs of those studying sustainable development.
John C. Mutter gives a just-the-facts overview of how the climate system functions and what we know about why changes occur. He recounts the evolution of climatology from the earliest discoveries about Earth’s climate to present-day predictive capabilities, and clearly presents the scientific basis of fundamental topics such as climate zones, ocean-atmosphere dynamics, and the long-term cycles from glacial to interglacial periods. Mutter also details the mechanisms of climate change and the ways in which human activity affects global climate. He explains the science behind some known consequences of rising temperatures, such as sea level rise, hurricane behavior, and climate variability. The primer discusses how climate predictions are made and examines the sources of uncertainty in forecasting. Climate Change Science is a straightforward and easy-to-read treatment of the fundamental science needed to comprehend one of today’s most important issues.
John C. Mutter gives a just-the-facts overview of how the climate system functions and what we know about why changes occur. He recounts the evolution of climatology from the earliest discoveries about Earth’s climate to present-day predictive capabilities, and clearly presents the scientific basis of fundamental topics such as climate zones, ocean-atmosphere dynamics, and the long-term cycles from glacial to interglacial periods. Mutter also details the mechanisms of climate change and the ways in which human activity affects global climate. He explains the science behind some known consequences of rising temperatures, such as sea level rise, hurricane behavior, and climate variability. The primer discusses how climate predictions are made and examines the sources of uncertainty in forecasting. Climate Change Science is a straightforward and easy-to-read treatment of the fundamental science needed to comprehend one of today’s most important issues.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published May 19, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 16, 2022
An overview of the basic scientific principles necessary to understand climate change. This book does not discuss how to solve climate change (=political measures etc), nor does it discuss in much detail the consequences of climate change on mankind; instead it focuses on explaining the greenhouse effect, global wind patterns and their consequences for e.g. hurricane formation, etc.
This is mostly quite well written, especially the first few chapters. There's some minor issues (figures could be a bit better...) and a US-centric perspective which are very minor annoyances. Overall this is a no-frills book that teaches you what it said it would.
This is mostly quite well written, especially the first few chapters. There's some minor issues (figures could be a bit better...) and a US-centric perspective which are very minor annoyances. Overall this is a no-frills book that teaches you what it said it would.
July 13, 2026
Climate Change Science: A Primer for Sustainable Development is an exceptionally clear and well-structured introduction to one of the most important scientific challenges of our time. John C. Mutter succeeds in making the complexities of climate science accessible without sacrificing scientific accuracy, providing readers with a strong foundation for understanding the processes that drive Earth's changing climate.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to explain fundamental scientific concepts in a logical and approachable manner. From atmospheric and oceanic dynamics to climate history, predictive modeling, and human influences on the environment, each topic is presented with clarity, allowing readers from diverse backgrounds to develop a meaningful understanding of climate systems and their global significance.
The book effectively connects scientific knowledge with the broader context of sustainable development, demonstrating why an understanding of climate science is essential for informed policymaking, environmental stewardship, and long-term societal resilience. Its balanced treatment of uncertainty and evidence encourages critical thinking while reinforcing the importance of science-based decision-making.
Written with scholarly authority and exceptional clarity, Climate Change Science is a valuable contribution to environmental education, sustainability studies, and public understanding of climate change. It is an essential resource for students, educators, policymakers, and readers seeking a reliable, accessible, and comprehensive introduction to the science underlying one of humanity's most pressing global challenges.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to explain fundamental scientific concepts in a logical and approachable manner. From atmospheric and oceanic dynamics to climate history, predictive modeling, and human influences on the environment, each topic is presented with clarity, allowing readers from diverse backgrounds to develop a meaningful understanding of climate systems and their global significance.
The book effectively connects scientific knowledge with the broader context of sustainable development, demonstrating why an understanding of climate science is essential for informed policymaking, environmental stewardship, and long-term societal resilience. Its balanced treatment of uncertainty and evidence encourages critical thinking while reinforcing the importance of science-based decision-making.
Written with scholarly authority and exceptional clarity, Climate Change Science is a valuable contribution to environmental education, sustainability studies, and public understanding of climate change. It is an essential resource for students, educators, policymakers, and readers seeking a reliable, accessible, and comprehensive introduction to the science underlying one of humanity's most pressing global challenges.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews