The Atlas of Climate Change: Mapping the World's Greatest Challenge

by Dow, Kirstin

• ISBN13: 9780520255586
• ISBN10: 0520255585
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-10-01
• Publisher: Univ of California Pr

Summary

Today's headlines and recent events reflect the gravity of climate change. Heat waves, droughts, and floods are bringing death to vulnerable populations, destroying livelihoods, and driving people from their homes. Rigorous in its science and insightful in its message, this atlas examines the causes of climate change and considers its possible impact on subsistence, water resources, ecosystems, biodiversity, health, coastal megacities, and cultural treasures. It reviews historical contributions to greenhouse gas levels, progress in meeting international commitments, and local efforts to meet the challenge of climate change. With more than 50 full-color maps and graphics, this is an essential resource for policy makers, environmentalists, students, and everyone concerned with this pressing subject. TheAtlascovers a wide range of topics, including: * Warning signs * Future scenarios * Vulnerable populations * Health * Renewable energy * Emissions reduction * Personal and public action Copub: Myriad Editions

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 8
Signs of Change	p. 19
Warning signs	p. 20
Polar Changes	p. 22
Glacial Retreat	p. 24
Everyday Extremes	p. 26
Forcing Change	p. 29
The Greenhouse Effect	p. 30
The Climate System	p. 32
Interpreting Past Climates	p. 34
Forecasting Future Climates	p. 36
Driving Climate Change	p. 39
Emissions Past and Present	p. 40
Fossil Fuels	p. 42
Methane and Other Gases	p. 44
Transportation	p. 46
Disrupting the Carbon Balance	p. 48
Agriculture	p. 50
Expected Consequences	p. 53
Disrupted Ecosystems	p. 54
Threatened Water Supplies	p. 56
Food Security	p. 58
Threats to Health	p. 60
Rising Sea Levels	p. 62
Cities at Risk	p. 64
Cultural Losses	p. 66
Responding to Change	p. 69
International Action	p. 70
Meeting Kyoto Targets	p. 72
Carbon Trading	p. 74
Financing Responses	p. 76
Local Commitment	p. 78
Carbon Dioxide and Economic Growth	p. 80
Renewable Energy	p. 82
Adapting to Change	p. 84
Committing to Solutions	p. 87
Personal Action	p. 88
Public Action	p. 90
Climate Change Data	p. 93
Data table	p. 94
Sources	p. 102
Index	p. 110
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.