Customer Reviews

Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis

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If you're interested in this in depth review of the current knowledge on global warming you can directly download the report from the IPCC at

http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg1.htm

If you are looking for a thorough, detailed review of the the current scientific concensus on climate change, this is it. Though long (at nearly 1,000 pages) and at times technical, it is definitely accessible for those without a science background. The Technical Summary (about 80 pages) is especially valuable and is fully cross-referenced with the more detailed chapters in the book. Every person with an opinion on climate change - whether pro or con - should read this book. It provides a sound foundation for intelligent debate.

I think we know the answer to that. Instead, check out the 127 page technical summary.
(Note that when I entered the ISBN for the Summary (92-9169-121-6) to do this review it did not come up on Amazon. However, the cover and title are the same for both documents.
Climate Change 2007 includes a Summary for Policymakers, FAQs, and a useful glossary. The confidence displayed in this document should convince even the strongest of naysayers that we'll be entering a new climate regime, and fairly rapidly. See especially pages 81-91: 'Robust Findings vs Key Uncertainties'.
Feb. 9 2008--
I just finished Novacek's chapter 'Heat Wave' in TERRA (2007). Here's what this paleontologist had to say about this IPCC Summary, p 314:

"Scientific consensus is now overwhleming. In Feb '07, the IPCC issued the conclusion that global warming is unequivocal and humans are very likely (more than 90% likelihood) to be the cause. Ther last time the IPCC reported in 2001, it assigned a conservative 60% likelihood to warming and stated that the link between human activity and climate change was only 'likely.' Even so, some scientist protested that the IPCC 2007 report was too conservative in its estimates of sea level rise because it discounts the recent disclosures on the melting polar ice caps and sliding glaciers. In years past, many scientists regarded the IPCC results as overextended; now many are saying the opposite."

This is the most important reference currently available on the understanding of the scientific basis for climate change - the main reason it is the most important is because this volume will become the basis for most climate change policy in the world, at least until the next IPCC Climate Change Report becomes available in 2013.

The IPCC does not conduct original research - rather, it synthesizes and summarizes the most up-to-date scientific research regarding climate change - causes, effects, and ramifications of future scenarios ranging from do nothing (business-as-usual) to reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Because of the comprehensive and exhaustive consensus policy that IPCC follows, the results are the best science as we now understand climate change, without the usual histrionics of those opposed to reducing greenhouse gases (climate change denyers/delayers) or even those who want to reduce greenhouse gases to near zero (some of the more extreme environmental action groups). In other words, this is an incredibly balanced, sober look at climate change and its potential to negatively impact the entire world in a very short time (if nothing is done).

More than 5 stars, consider this an indispensable reference if you are interested in global warming and climate change. However, I am not sure if I can agree with another reviewer that no scientific understanding is necessary before reading this IPCC report. It helps to have a little understanding of the basic science before reading this (although the "frequent questions and answers" parts of the book are indispensable). At a minimum, I would recommend viewing "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore before tackling this 1,000 page titan.

If you purchase this (highly recommended), and actually read it (also highly recommended), you will get automatic bragging rights at the next social function you attend, because as the conversation will inevitably touch on global warming, you can just off-handedly comment, "Well, I just finished reading the IPCC complete report on climate change, and it says....".

Impress your environmental friends, keep your finger on the pulse of an important global topic, and broaden your mind, all in one volume. Worth every penny.

A must-read for all you climate change doubters out there. This is the real story!