Summary

Reforestation and avoiding deforestation are methods of harnessing nature to tackle global warming - the greatest challenge facing humankind. In this book, Colin Hunt deals comprehensively with the present and future role of forests in climate change policy and practice.

The author provides signposts for the way ahead in climate change policy and offers practical examples of forestry's role in climate change mitigation in both developed and tropical developing countries. Chapters on measuring carbon in plantations, their biodiversity benefits and potential for biofuel production complement the analysis. He also discusses the potential for forestry in climate change policy in the United States and other countries where policies to limit greenhouse gas emissions have been foreshadowed. The author employs scientific and socio-economic analysis and lays bare the complexity of forestry markets. A review of the workings of carbon markets, based both on the Kyoto Protocol and voluntary participation, provides a foundation from which to explore forestry's role. Emphasis is placed on acknowledging how forests' idiosyncrasies affect the design of markets for sequestered carbon. The realization of forestry's potential in developed countries depends on the depth of cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, together with in-country rules on forestry. An increase in funding for carbon retention in tropical forests is an immediate imperative, but complexities dictate that the sources of finance will likely be dedicated funds rather than carbon markets.

This timely and comprehensive book will be of great value to any reader interested in climate change. Policy-makers within international agencies and governments, academics and students in the fields of geography, economics, science policy, forestry, development studies as well as carbon market participants and forest developers in the private sector will find it especially useful.

Choice Review

In this timely book, Hunt (economics, Univ. of Queensland, Australia) explains the complicated ins and outs of carbon accounting and carbon markets particular to forestry in the face of global climate change. The work contains eight chapters that can stand alone, each including a contemporary reference list. The first chapter describes how carbon markets evolved, and establishes the role of forestry in providing carbon offsets. The next two chapters tackle forestry in relation to the Kyoto Protocol, with an explanation of voluntary carbon markets. Following is a chapter on biodiversity, reforestation, and deforestation; a chapter on measuring carbon sinks in forests; and a chapter on forests as biofuels. The final two chapters address forestry and climate change policies in developed countries. There is an extensive index and a very handy list of abbreviations at the beginning of the book. Summary points, tables, figures, and boxes with specific examples increase relevancy and clarity. Though timely and comprehensive, the book risks becoming quickly dated as much anecdotal information from various popular outlets is used to demonstrate points and build arguments. The work's heavy focus on Australia and the US adds to its accessibility. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections. L. M. Nagel Michigan Technological University