Wendy N. reviewed on 3/24/2011 + 177 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

An excellent, very readable account of the science behind climate change. Flannery begins with the history of climate cycles and what their ramifactions have been on life on Earth. Then he outlines precisely what chemicals are responsible for climate change and how they are released into the atmosphere. He then lists the damage already wrought; including Arctic and Antarctiv melting, coral bleaching, extinction of golden toads and other climate-sensitive species, rainfall pattern changes, and enhanced localize storm activity. Feddback loops--which I believe are the scariest part of the scenario--are shown in detail.

Flannery clearly states the problem and the timelines required to have hope of stabilizing the climate (due to the length of time greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere). He outlines various prediction models and evaluates some of the strategies thus far proposed to combat CO2, including sequestration, biofuels, fertilizing the sea with iron filings, and of course wind and solar. He then expounds at length about Kyoto and the difficulties in getting world governments to agree on how to address the problem.

Altogether a very, very enlightening book, even for those who feel they are already informed about the environmental crisis. First, move away from the coast. Then get this book.

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