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The Rough Guide to Climate Change (Rough Guides Reference Titles)

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Author: Robert Henson
Publisher: Rough Guides Ltd
Category: Book

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Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

5 reviews
Sales Rank: 16989

Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5 x 0.8

ISBN: 1843537117
Dewey Decimal Number: 363.73874
EAN: 9781843537113
ASIN: 1843537117

Publication Date: September 28, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: This book is in stock and will ship within 24 hours from our warehouse in the UK.

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Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars

Encyclopaedic, yet readable March 9, 2007
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

It seems almost extravagant to publish yet another book on climate change. This one, however, bears the benefit of being almost extravagantly comprehensive. Henson has assembled a wealth of data, presenting it in a superbly organised and accessible account. Although the term "Rough Guide" might imply a superficial approach to the topic, this book is anything but that. In slightly over three hundred pages, the author covers the current conditions, the history leading up to those and what processes are in place to influence climate. He also deals with how the sciences investigating climate change work, and why we should pay attention to them.

His analysis of policies addressing climate change, in particular his descripton of the Kyoto Protocols, is unsurpassed. He even includes how the arts, well and poorly, have adopted climate themes into their productions. Although he recognises the failings of such films as "The Day After Tomorrow", he accepts their role in raising public consciousness. This enlarged awareness has been manifested in a website ClimatePrediction.net which uses idle computers to assess data used in modelling climate change. Henson's explanation of computer modelling is on a par with the rest of his presentation; clear and informative.

The author repeatedly stresses that while climate change is a global phenomenon, it is individuals who will make a difference in its onset and impact. Accordingly, his suggested solutions will bear close scrutiny. As well as Kyoto's broad view, Henson examines the alternatives or enhancements for their likely effectiveness. The recent initiative by The Asia-Pacific Partnership, based on voluntary controls and shared technologies, is covered, as is the Contraction and Convergence model. Most importantly, the author's coverage of personal changes in energy consumption and pollution reduction is very helpful. He makes clear that none of the steps requires drastic change in lifestyle nor the outlay of substantial funds. To this end he closes with a list of useful resources of information on all aspects of the topic. If there is a shortcoming in this book, it is the process used to save paper and money. The reduced size of the volume means packing all that information into a small space. The typeface is miniscule and the reading can be excruciating. Energy-saving lightbulbs in your house may lead to impaired vision from sifting through so much information. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

5 out of 5 stars

Good Book on Subject January 21, 2007
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

The Rough Guide to Climate Change is very good introduction to the most serious issues facing the human race. This book is science-based and succeeds in explaining the current situation with background information along with possible solutions. The guide looks at: visible symptoms of change from a warming planet; how global warming works; the evolution of our atmosphere over the last 4.5 billion years; what computer simulations of climate reveal about our past, present, and future; the sceptics: Who are they? What are their grounds for disagreeing with the crowd? Battle of the titans: the oil industry vs the global commons; global warming in the media: A review of the last few decades; global solutions: What governments and scientists are doing to try and solve the problem; and lots more. The guide also includes lifestyle advice and tips for consumers who want to make a difference in tomorrow's climate, and comes complete with a glossary of websites for further information. Written in an easy to understand way, by a scientist who has a deep knowledge of the subject and practices what he preaches - he is a keen cyclist and you will be surprised to learn is American.

5 out of 5 stars

Essential reading December 15, 2006
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is a concise, readable, well-substantiated account of both the state of current climate change science and the political conflict surrounding it. We all need to be reading this.

5 out of 5 stars

The Rough Guide to Climate Change December 4, 2006
19 out of 21 found this review helpful

This is my area of work within a very large corporation. Usually references in this topic are either of the too broad hug-the-planet type or too focussed technical analysis. This strikes a good middle ground. The sources are 'safe' and given, and where there is debate over causes of certain events this is given an airing in a balanced way. I wasn't expecting this to be up to much, being a Rough Guide. How could anyone write a rough guide on climate change? But Robert Henson has done just that. It is rough, but mostly there.

Bare in mind that for every page you read, there is a whole army of researchers in heated debate and analysis on the topic. It is a light overview OK for bedtime/train reading, but a very good introduction to the most serious issues facing the human race. Puts petty human conflict into perspective.

5 out of 5 stars

Everything you ever wanted to know about climate change, and possibly more October 6, 2006
34 out of 39 found this review helpful

I really recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about this topical and important issue. It covers all bases...from the science behind climate change and ways in which the planet is already struggling to cope with increasing temperatures, through to technological, political and personal solutions to the problem. Unlike much of the press coverage, the book doesn't deal in hyperbole, but instead acts as a factual, clear and well-balanced guide for anyone with an interest in the future of our planet. A highly enjoyable and thought-provoking read, and the handy index at the back means you'll be returning to it time and time again.