Engineering Response to Global Climate Change

by Watts, Robert G.

• ISBN13: 9781566702348
• ISBN10: 1566702348
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-07-01
• Publisher: CRC Pr I Llc

Summary

This book, written by leading scientists and engineers, offers real solutions to the problem of the perceived warming of the Earth's climate. From new ways to curtail energy consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions to actual proposals for sea walls and climate-altering atmospheric technologies, this book offers professionals and students exciting conceptual tools for actually correcting and alleviating social and environmental threats from global warming. The reader will find: -- New concepts on better using energy supply and curtailing demand-- Information on managing water resources as a means of mitigating global warming-- Coastal engineering solutions to the threat of rising sea levels-- Integrating agriculture into a world of warmer climates and increased greenhouse gases-- Innovative solutions using "Geoengineering" to directly intervene in the Earth's climate

Table of Contents

The Fifth Revolution, R.G. Watts

Introduction

The Nature of the Problem

The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change

Detecting Climate Change

Has the Time Come to Respond?

About This Book

Appendix: A Brief History of the Greenhouse Problem

References

Emissions and Budgets of Radiatively Important Atmospheric Constituents, D. Wuebbles, J. Edmonds, J. Dignon, W. Emanuel, D. Fisher, R. Gammon, R. Hangebrauck, R. Harris, M.A.K. Khalil, J. Spence, and T.M. Thompson

Introduction

Budgets of Radiatively Important Constituents

Reducing the Uncertainties in Greenhouse Gas Budgets

Stabilizing the Atmosphere

References

Energy Demand Reduction, A. Rosenfeld, B. Atkinson, L. Price, B. Ciliano, J.I. Mills, K. Friedman, E. Flynn, M. Hopkins, H. Shaw, J. Wilson, F. Wood, R. Reck, and E. Larson

Introduction

Eight Major Recent Studies of Demand Reduction Potential

U.S. Sectoral Analysis

Achievable Savings and Remaining Barriers

Examples of Successes

Proposed Research Development and Demonstration

International Issues

Summary

References

Energy Supply, M. Hoffert, S.D. Potter, J. Delene, P.E. Glaser, M. Golay, H.M. Hubbard, M. Kadiramangalam, A. Perry, M. Steinberg, and C.-J. Winter

Introduction

Energy and Global Change

Energy Supply and Wealth

Toward a Nonfossil Fuel Civilization

References

Water Resources, W.H. McAnally, P.H. Burgi, D. Calkins, R.H. French, J.P. Holland, B. Hsieh, B. Miller, J. Thomas, W.D. Martin, and J.R. Tuttle

Introduction

Problem Overview

Impacts to the Hydrometeorological Cycle

Water Resources Impacts

Issues

Research and Development

References

Sea Level Rise and Coastal Hazards: An Assessment of Impacts and Coastal Engineering Research Needs, A. Mehta, R. Dean, H. Kunz, V. Law, S.-C. Lee, and Z. Tarapore

Synopsis

Introduction

Sea Level Change

Impacts of Relative Mean Sea Level Rise

Impacts of Changes in Episodic Events

Predictive Constraints

Research Needs

Elements of Management Responses

Goal and Recommended Tasks

Concluding Comments

References

Agriculture and Biological Systems, N. Scott, G. Arkin, J. DeShazer, G. Evans, G. Hoffman, J. Jones, and J. Walker

Introduction

Climatic Factors of Importance to Agriculture

Potential Adaptations by Agriculture

Engineering Issues Related to the Impacts of Climate Changes on Agriculture

Reduction of Agriculture's Contribution to Atmospheric Change

Research Goals and Objectives

References

Geoengineering Climate, B.P. Flannery, H. Kheshgi, G. Marland, M.C. MacCraken, H. Komiyama, W. Broecker, H. Ishatani, N. Rosenberg, M. Steinberg, T. Wigley, and M. Morantine

Introduction

The Potential for Climate Modification

Goals and Criteria

Options for Sequestering Carbon

Options for Geoengineering the Climate System

Future Research Actions

References

The Engineering Response to Global Environmental Change, R.G. Watts

Introduction

Energy, Time, and Information

The Social Context of Engineering

Opportunities, Challenges, and Possibilities

A Research and Development Agenda

No Regrets

Opportunities

Challenges

Possibilities

References

Appendix: Author List and Affiliations

Index