Summary

Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast is a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of global warming. Written in an accessible style, this important book examines the processes of climate change and climate stability, from the distant past to the distant future.

Examining the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, and what the future may hold for global climate, this text draws on a wide range of disciplines, and summarizes not only scientific evidence, but also economic and policy issues, related to global warming. A companion web site at (http://understandingtheforecast.org) provides access to interactive computer models of the physics and chemistry behind the global warming forecast, which can be used to support suggested student projects included at the end of each chapter. Solutions and artwork from the book are available to instructors at www.blackwellpublishing.com/archer.

Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast provides an essential introduction to this vital issue for both students and general readers, with or without a science background.

Choice Review

Archer (Univ. of Chicago) has done an excellent job of describing the details of how Earth's atmosphere is affected by important factors such as albedo, water vapor, carbon dioxide, etc. He explains their role in the solar energy budget and their effect on global temperatures. Explanations of atmospheric modeling are complete, citing limitations and testing using historical data and proxy data. Archer makes cautious predictions of how global temperature increases will cause worldwide changes in climate, ocean currents, precipitation patterns, sea levels, and regional storms. He addresses the thorny question of what can be done and the effectiveness of human actions. Archer must be applauded for thoroughness of approach. He spends two-thirds of the book explaining atmospheric processes so that readers can understand global warming issues from a scientific viewpoint. His take-home points are a bit concise, and there are several minor mistakes in text, but these are overshadowed by thoroughness of treatment and use of the companion Web site, Understanding the Forecast . The latter gives readers opportunities to manipulate data and observe model response. An excellent book for anyone serious about understanding the causes and impacts of global warming. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. M. Schaab Maine Maritime Academy