Global Warning: The Last Chance for Change (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Gerd Leipold (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Explaining the science of global warming in layman's language, this hard-hitting assessment shows why scientists predict that it could reach the point of no return within the next 10 years. The global economy, and civilization itself, may collapse unless greenhouse-gas emissions are controlled, warns Brown, a correspondent for the Guardian (U.K.). He bolsters the argument with stunning color photographs showing the effects of humanity's abuse of the planet, such as traffic-clogged cities, rising sea levels, desertification, dust storms, disappearing ice sheets and glaciers, and the devastation of powerful hurricanes. Some of the most alarming images are views from space that show the infinite number of electric lights used by developed countries at night. Brown denounces politicians who are too afraid of losing votes to take action to prevent the coming cataclysm, and he reserves special condemnation for George W. Bush. He finds hopeful signs, however, in the surprising number of developing countries, including Costa Rica and Papua, New Guinea, that have pledged to tackle climate change; many countries, including Denmark, Norway and Japan, are replacing fossil fuels with new technologies such as wind and solar power, geothermal power plants, and wave and undersea turbines. Brown's persuasive book drives home the message that the whole world needs to follow suit without delay. (Oct.)
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Review

"Climate change, its causes and consequeces have rarely seemed so tasteful as in these photographs and essays, which present the most promising solutions in full colour, too." The Independent (24h July 2007) "The book is clearly written and well researched." The Observer (supp. Review) 12th November 2006 "This inspiring, visually arresting book explores the threat of climate change and the possible solutions in a clear-cut and comprehensible way." Sustain Magazine (November 2006) " A compelling and challenging book." Countryman (January 2007) "This is the most balanced account of the subject I have ever read, and excellent value for money, particularly given the quality of the photography." London Cyclist (February/March 2007) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (October 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762108762
• ISBN-13: 978-0762108763
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,064,429 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Climate change isn't everything, it is the only thing, December 30, 2007

By	Paul Moskowitz (Yorktown, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While having the appearance of a coffee-table book, complete with full-page color photographs, this is a very thorough work on a very serious subject. This is the most comprehensive book that I have read on the politics of climate change. In addition to the usual facts and figures, there is a good history of the negotiations leading to the Kyoto agreement.

The award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, has brought some added publicity to the problem of global warming or climate change. You may read or download for yourself the IPCC summary report which is available on the IPCC dot ch web site. Alternatively, you may wish to just look out the window. The people of New Zealand have been able to see icebergs large enough for helicopter landings floating by within a few miles of their shores for the first time in recorded history. Where I live, it seemed to take forever for our fall leaves to change color. We had a record warm October. The list of events that we see that have been predicted by climate scientists is seemingly without end. According to the IPCC, before the end of this century, we may live in a world of elevated temperatures, rising sea level, and extreme weather.

However, as dire as the predictions are, the reality is much worse. The climate models are indeed inaccurate ... in their timing. Climate change has accelerated beyond the predictions of only one or two years ago. In his movie, An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore states that the Arctic will be ice free in the summer in 40 years. That would put it about 2046. In this book, the date of prediction is down to 2020. However, there have been news reports in the last month that NASA climate scientists are now predicting the summer of 2012 as the date for an ice-free Arctic. The ice in question is floating sea ice. Its melting will not raise the level of the world's oceans. However, an ice free Arctic Ocean will absorb more sunlight, increasing the Arctic warming trend. If the Arctic Ocean is ice free, can the collapse of the Greenland ice cap be far behind? There is enough ice on Greenland to raise the world's sea level by 15 to 20 feet should it melt or as it seems more likely flow into the ocean.

The question used to be whether we will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in time to save the planet for future generations. That is no longer the issue. Can we now slow climate change enough so that we can enjoy the benefits of civilization, e.g. the Internet, HDTV, food, etc., through our own lifetimes? In our town, we are working to get our local government to ratify the US Mayors Agreement on Climate Change to work toward the goal of reducing our Greenhouse gas emissions below our 1990 levels by the year 2012. This is a quite reasonable goal; change the light bulbs to CFLs, make buildings energy-efficient, drive low carbon footprint vehicles. We can all do this; save some money and maybe the planet too.

I also recommend "With Speed and Violence: Why Scientists Fear Tipping Points in Climate Change" by Fred Pearce. a book about recent scientific investigations and their implications for global warming.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book with very astonishing photoes. If one want to plunge into this subject deeper, a more rigerous book is needed., October 9, 2008

By	Guannan Chen - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Good book with very astonishing photoes. If one want to plunge into this subject deeper, a more rigerous book is needed.