A history of the science and politics of climate change : the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

How did the global climate change issues emerge? The issue of human-induced global climate change became a major environmental concern during the twentieth century. In response to growing concern about human-induced global climate change, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed in 1988. Written by its first chairman, this book is an overview of the history of the IPCC. It describes and evaluates the intricate interplay between key factors in the science and politics of climate change, the strategy that has been followed, and the regretfully slow pace in getting to grips with the uncertainties that have prevented earlier action being taken. The book also highlights the emerging conflict between establishing a sustainable global energy system and preventing a serious change in global climate. This text provides researchers and policy makers with an insight into the history of the politics of climate change.

Foreword

Abbreviations

Part I The Early History of the Climate Change Issue

1 Nineteenth century discoveries

2 The natural carbon cycle and life on earth

3 Global research initiatives in meteorology and climatology

4 Early international assessments of climate change

Part II The Climate Change Issue Becomes One of Global Concern

5 Setting the stage

6 The scientific basis for a climate convention

7 Serving the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee

8 The IPCC second assessment report

9 In the aftermath of the IPCC second assessment

10 The Kyoto Protocol is agreed and a third assessment begun

11 A decade of hesitance and slow progress

Part III Are We at a Turning Point in Addressing Climate Change?

12 Key scientific findings of prime political relevance

13 Climate change and a future sustainable global energy supply

Some concluding remarks

Notes

References

Name index

Subject index

Available:*

On Order

Summary

Summary

Table of Contents