Global Warming: The Complete Briefing [Paperback]

John Houghton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0521528747 | ISBN-13: 978-0521528740 | Edition: 3

John Houghton explores the scientific basis of global warming and the likely impacts of climate change on human society in this comprehensive guide to the subject. He then addresses the action that could be taken by governments, industry and individuals to mitigate the effects of global warming. Previous Edition Hb (1997): 0-521-62089-9 Previous Edition Pb (1997): 0-521-62932-2

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this book definitely lives up to its title. Highly recommended." R.M. Ferguson, Eastern Connecticut State University, CHOICE

"...a widely praised book on global warming and its consequences." The Economist

"...the best single-volume guide to the science of climate change." Times Literary Supplement

"...this complete briefing on global warming is remarkably factual and inclusive. Houghton's concern about planet Earth and its people blends well with his hopes for global cooperation." Choice

"With the small cavet that a good teacher is required to wield it properly, I highly recommend this textbook." EOS, Keith Alverson

Book Description

John Houghton explores the scientific basis of global warming and the likely impacts of climate change on human society in this comprehensive guide to the subject. He then addresses the action that could be taken by governments, industry and individuals to mitigate the effects of global warming. This completely updated new edition will prove invaluable to the motivated student as well as interested general reader.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 382 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 3 edition (September 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521528747
• ISBN-13: 978-0521528740
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fair, balanced, scientific, non-partisan, clear., July 12, 2006

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J. V. Lewis (secure undisclosed location) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Global Warming: The Complete Briefing (Paperback)

I have to take immediate issue with the [anonymous] reviews below that claim that this book doesn't address the difference between natural climate cycling and anthropogenic climate change: that difference, in a nutshell, is PRECISELY what this book deals with. Those reviewers never read it, or failed completely to follow its line of reasoning. This is NOT a partisan, political, ideological book. It is simply a guided tour of the science of climate change, revised in 2004. It carefully parses the current research. Read the table of contents [you can click on it at the top of the page] and see that the book is organized around the following inevitable questions: Is climate changing? How much is it changing? How much of that change is caused by people? What are the likely effects, short- and long-term, of these changes? What can we do about it? In the case of climate change, despite all of the political complications that have accrued to what was originally science, these questions are PRECISELY the ones a thinking person needs to ask. To have a book structured around them, referring, as it does, to the best [scientific, independently-refereed] research is a gift. It seems that almost everybody today picks their position on climate change as part of an ideological package-deal: most American conservatives almost automatically disdain the science because the Bush White House and Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter disdain it. Most American progressives almost automatically embrace the NOTION of climate change without actually knowing the science, because Al Gore, et al, have told them to. Both positions, taken in ignorance of the science, are ideolgical and symptomatic of the worst party-line politics. I urge you to read the science. It will take some effort, but that effort is our civic duty. This book has no agenda other than compiling the research and putting it before the reading public in an accessible format.

139 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and stimulating overview of global warming issue, January 3, 1999

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[e-mail] (Idaho, U. S. A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Global Warming: The Complete Briefing (Paperback)

This is the first book I have read on global warming. Sir John Houghton has provided a carefully written account, with good explanations, fairly thorough referencing, and informative charts and figures. The subject of global warming is presented from a multifaceted perspective, with both informative factual material as well as elements of a personal perspective, introduced in a non-forceful but persuasive manner.

The book is aimed at those who know little about climatology or global warming. It will help to have some general scientific background. The pertinent facts - how much we have increased the atmosphere's CO2 concentration, in what way this gas effects the earth's energy balance, etc. - are available here, and the information is referenced to primary scientific sources. The prognosis for a warming of the atmosphere is gently asserted in the affirmative, but the uncertainties are also presented. Without being a climatologist, I found most of my qestions of this nature were answered. The only point I was curious about but found missing was what recent changes in glaciers tell us about the present tendency of global temperature.

After presenting the data, the models and arguing gently for a moderate warming tendency, Houghton presents several nice chapters on effects (potentially severe) and responses to the problem, with a particular emphasis on energy. The suggested responses leave one with the sense that Houghton is an optimist. He incites to action, where it is hard to imagine today's politicians asking us to change our habits so fundamentally.

This book is stimulating, both on the subject of global warming (whether or not it is occurring, how much, what is our role), as well as on the potential consequences and suitable responses. Considering that a response is advisable - a point of view which Houghton advances - one is left with a sense of the large scale of the responses which are necessary to reverse the accumulation of CO2: is mankind's ability to improvise its way out of a fix capable of dealing with a problem whose solution would require changes of this magnitude?

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource if you want to know the facts on global warming and climate change, May 19, 2007

By 

Sydster (Anacortes, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Global Warming: The Complete Briefing (Paperback)

I have just gotten half way through this book but am already finding it an excellent source of background information on global warming and climate change. It has a lot of technical information but is written at a level that most people can understand. I'm using it to prepare for a community education class I'll be teaching and finding it most helpful with facts on the science behind global warming. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to delve into the reasons behind what you're hearing in the news. The author is an internationally recognized expert and obviously knows what he's taking about. The book it written in a well balanced way pointing out the uncertainties and sticking to the facts. I'm looking forward to completing the rest of the book this week.