Heated Debate: Greenhouse Predictions Versus Climate Reality [Paperback]

Robert C. Balling Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0936488484 | ISBN-13: 978-0936488486

Dispels much of the science fiction of global warming and the greenhouse effect.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the debate over the effect of global warming caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, one side warns of catastrophe while the other believes that the warming will be moderate. Among the latter is the author, director of the Office of Climatology at Arizona State University. In reaching his conclusion, he uses both climate models and historical records, noting that the last 100 years have seen a 40% increase in CO2, a 4.4 rise in sea level and a temperature rise of 0.7 F. Given a doubling of CO2 in the next half-century, he predicts a 1.8 F rise in temperature, a 2%-5% increase in precipitation and a slight rise in sea level. He suggests warming will occur at night, in high-latitude locations, probably in winter. The book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of climate change. Illustrations. Conservative Book Club al ter nate.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 195 pages
• Publisher: Pacific Research Institute (January 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936488484
• ISBN-13: 978-0936488486
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,244,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars scientific and worthwhile reading, August 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Heated Debate: Greenhouse Predictions Versus Climate Reality (Hardcover)

Balling captures the essence of the global warming debate. Facts, not hype, are presented in a scientific way. Worth the read for those interested in all sides of the global warming debate.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Science vs. Religion, October 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Heated Debate: Greenhouse Predictions Versus Climate Reality (Hardcover)

What is the latest global religion? Environmentalism. Finally a book that sheds the light of skepticism and science on the environmental hype and scaremongering.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scientific discussion without the political agenda---, April 30, 2002

By 

"rhanson111" (Scottsdale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heated Debate: Greenhouse Predictions Versus Climate Reality (Paperback)

"The Heated Debate," is a very balanced discussion of theory and data related to the greenhouse effect. The author, Dr. Robert Balling, Jr., is Director of the Office of Climatology at Arizona State University. He's published some seventy technical articles.

Dr. Balling is a climate consultant to the United Nations, the World Meteorological Organization, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. I believe he is a pure researcher, "untainted" by connections to any political agenda. His writing is scholarly, well foot-noted and documented, and he offers a history and critique of greenhouse theory and empirical data.

His general conclusion is that more than a little skepticism is warranted, and that we should wait ten years or so before investing TRILLIONS of $ on carbon withdrawal, and DRASTICALLY changing all of our lives, until a MUCH better understanding is established. The theory, measurements, and understanding of the greenhouse effect are advancing rapidly, and drastically changing the original predictions from only a few decades ago. Measured warming has been nowhere near the earlier predictions, and the mathematical models are being constantly revised.

For anyone interested in global warming this book is a very interesting and different perspective than that propounded by politicians and the media!!