By: Paul Brown
Explaining the science of global warming in layman's terms, this shocking and factual assessment by Paul Brown examines scientist's predictions that the earth could reach the point of no return within the next 10 years. Global economic collapse, and the collapse of civilization itself, could occur unless greenhouse-gas emissions are controlled, warns Guardian correspondent Brown. He supports his revelations with stunning color photographs showing human kind's devestating effects on the planet such as: melting ice caps, rising sea levels, desertification, dust storms, and powerful hurricanes. Brown denounces politicians who refuse to take action to prevent the coming cataclysm, reserving special condemnation for George W. Bush.
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Product Details
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Readers Digest (October 4, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0762108762
ISBN-13: 978-0762108763
Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.1 x 1.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
“'Global Warning' explains with perfect clarity and simplicity the dangers we face while maintaining the truth of the science. Paul Brown's greatest achievement in this book is that it restores hope by teaching us of the technologies and renewable energy solutions that are available to us. There is no time for skepticism: we have to act urgently. We DO have a 'Last chance for change'!” - Prince Albert II of Monaco
Open any newspaper, watch the television news, listen to the radio – every day there is something on climate change. Extremes of weather already touch many aspects of people’s lives. As the global temperature increases, its consequences will become ever more significant and affect every corner of the planet.
‘Global Warning: The Last Chance for Change’ is an authoritative and visually stunning book, unique in its approach. While most of the current literature on the subject is highly scientific, this book’s aim is to educate the public at large. Hard-hitting text, graphics and powerful pictures show the plight the world is already facing. The tone is serious, but ultimately positive, outlining what we all need to do to safeguard our future. It provides an honest appraisal of a critical situation, and some practical advice about solutions – whether making small adjustments in everyday life, or raising public awareness across the globe.
This book serves as an invaluable tool to inform business leaders and the public alike of the consequences and opportunities associated with the ongoing increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the repercussions of continuing “business as usual”. It will be clear about the problems which we face, but positive about the possibilities of averting the worst. This book conveys the following key messages to our target audience – the general public.
1. The science is clear and we can understand it
2. A reduction of emissions is achievable and affordable
3. Now is the opportunity for us all to make a difference
GLOBAL WARNING: The Last Chance for Change
CHAPTER OUTLINES
1. OUR CHANGING WORLD
I) Introduction to book’s purpose / contents
II) Brief words on sea level rise, extreme weather events
III) Determination to get the facts out: “As time has passed I have come to the view that waiting for someone else to act is no longer enough. Scientists and the rest of us have an ethical and moral dimension to our roles in society.”
Iv) Outline of technology and individuals’ commitment
2. HOW CLOSE IS RUNAWAY GLOBAL WARMING?
I) Scientists’ views on the tipping point – 2 degrees threshold / ppm etc
II) How long do we have? “...unless there is a drastic change in human behaviour or some other unknown factor the 400 ppm safety threshold will be exceeded within 15 years or perhaps even a decade.”
III) Explanation of melting permafrost, aerosols, Greenland.
3. CREATING A SCORCHED EARTH
I) Explanation of greenhouse effect – Fourier, Tyndall, Callendar etc
II) First recognition of the “huge experiment with the atmosphere” ie the polluting factors changing climate inc. global meetings & conferences
III) Rio Earth Summit, COP meetings, Kyoto – political history
Iv) Slow political progress
4. MAD, BAD OR GREEDY?
I) Outline of climate change skeptics – name and shame, Donald Pearlman
II) Current White House administration’s relationship with oil companies
III) Photographs depicting controversial issue of oil security
5. EVEN TERMITES ARE TO BLAME
I) Other forms of pollution inc. methane, sulphur oxide, nitrous oxide etc
II) Ozone layer, acid rain
6. WE NEED ICE
I) Crucial role of ice in the way the world works – rivers, water supply etc
II) Threatened wildlife – polar bears, penguins, caribou, warming oceans
III) Kilimanjaro and other melting glaciers across the planet
Iv) Effect on the world’s largest rivers in most populated areas - Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, Mekong,Yangtze
California’s reliance on ice for water supply – Schwarzenegger’s efforts
7. RISING TIDES
I) Causes of sea level rise - “Scientists...calculate that the main current cause of sea level rise is the warming of the oceans. Water expands as it
warms.”
II) Calculations of global sea level rise – vulnerable cities inc. London,
Rotterdam, Miami, San Francisco, Bombay, Hong Kong
III) Report on Maldives inc. excerpts from interview with President Gayoom “as a country in the front line of climate change impacts we accept we would be the first hit and probably the worst hit. However, we may not be the only victims as time goes on.”
Iv) Possibility of Gulf Stream being turned off – plunged into sudden cold
8. SHELLFISH ON DEATH ROW
I) Acid oceans – Carol Turley – “The whole composition of life in the oceans will change.”
II) Death of coral reefs – Great Barrier Reef in particular
9. EXTREME EVENTS
I) Hurricane Katrina and the consequences of worst season on record
II) Statistics – insurance losses totaled $34 billion for Katrina
III) Poor irrigation practices leading to drought – effect on Africa
Iv) Amazon drought of 2005 inc threat to rainforest – “By mid-summer the greatest river on earth had already dropped 1.8 metres below normal level to less than 15 metres deep.”
10. FIDDLING WHILE THE GLOBE BURNS
I) History of climate change conferences inc the results of Kyoto ratification and Montreal climate talks – the problems facing resolution inc small nations, lack of US involvement
II) Coalition for Rainforest Nations, “If we do not recognise the value of
these forests they will be cut.”
III) Prominence of former president Bill Clinton at Montreal
Iv) Was Montreal a success? “In the cold light of day we have to ask what
exactly was achieved. The answer looks like little more than an agreement
to carry on talking.”
11. PEAK OIL AND CHINA
I) China’s growth and demand for oil – “It would need 99 million barrels of oil a day. The world currently only produces 84 million barrels per day”.
II) Unsustainable nature of current trends – “London uses the environmental resources of an area 120 times its own size to feed and service its population”.
III) Efforts of cities to increase energy efficiency inc London, Beijing, NY
12. BOOM TIME FOR JOBS AND SUNRISE INDUSTRIES
I) Scandinavia’s commitment to emissions reductions
II) Carbon trading – concise explanation of mechanics and story so far – “Following years of slow progress in spreading clean technologies by other means there were 700 projects globally in the pipeline in June 2006 under Kyoto’s clean development mechanism”.
III) Abundance of renewable energy sources in the UK – wind, wave power
Iv) Efforts of giant corporations such as BP and Chevron to re-brand themselves and tackle this issue
V) Japan’s reputation as a country at forefront of energy efficiency inc production of ocean thermal energy conversion and transport
VI) Bio-fuels such as ethanol in Brazil, advantages of small-scale
13. VOODOO ECONOMICS
I) Rejection of nuclear as a solution – “the argument that will kill large- scale nuclear, or should, is that it is not economic”.
II) “Britain’s nuclear waste was estimated in 2006 at £70 billion ($126 billion) but is rising every year”.
III) Angela Merkel’s initiatives to encourage renewable (e.g. upgrading old
housing) contrasted with unsustainable model of Dubai.
14. WHAT CAN WE DO?
I) Mobilisation of individuals across the globe to combat global warming
II) Boost to economy as a result of tackling climate change
III) Germany as “shining example” – 100,000 solar roof program
Iv) Carbon offsetting – planting trees, investing in clean technologies
V) Steps to take to conserve energy – lighting, heating
VI) Hybrid / hydrogen-powered cars
VII) Cutting down on food miles by consuming local produce
“How could I look my grandchildren in the eye and say I knew about this and did nothing?” - Sir David Attenborough, 2006
The Author:
Paul Brown was the environment correspondent for The Guardian newspaper for 16 years and has worked in newspaper journalism for more than 40 years. He has written extensively about climate change, population, biodiversity, pollution, energy, desertification, and ocean management. Brown has appeared in and written television documentaries on environmental issues, contributed to books on green politics, and is the author of several books on the environment. http://www.globalwarningbook.com
