Table Of Content

About the Author Page: vi Title Page Page: iii Copyright Page Page: iv Contents Page: ix Acknowledgments Page: xiii Chapter 1 Global Perspective—Thinking about the Earth Page: 1 Part One: What We Know and How We Know It Page: 5 Chapter 2 Taking the Earth’s Temperature Page: 7 Global Temperature Measurement—The Basics Page: 8 How Is the Earth’s Temperature Changing? Page: 10 Going Back in Time—The Next Best Thing to Having a Thermometer Page: 15 Different Places, Different Temperature Changes Page: 22 What the Data Are Telling Us Page: 27 Cause and Effect Page: 28 Key Ideas Page: 28 Review Questions Page: 29 Chapter 3 Signs of Global Warming Page: 33 Direct and Indirect Evidence Page: 33 The Oceans Page: 34 Melting Ice and Snow Page: 41 Impact on Wildlife—Some Examples Page: 55 Wacky Weather Page: 57 Key Ideas Page: 63 Review Questions Page: 64 Part Two: Why Climate Changes Page: 67 Chapter 4 The Earth’s Thermostat—Keeping the Earth Warm Page: 69 The Earth’s Orbit Page: 70 How the Sun Warms the Earth Page: 71 Natural Climate Cycles Page: 90 Distribution of Heat around the Earth—Thermohaline Circulation and the Gulf Stream Page: 101 Key Points Page: 103 Review Questions Page: 104 Chapter 5 Greenhouse Chemistry Page: 107 Gases in the Atmosphere Page: 108 Generating Carbon Dioxide Page: 108 Absorption of Light by Gases in the Atmosphere Page: 111 Trace Gases with a Major Potential Impact Page: 114 Carbon Sinks Page: 116 Comparison of Fuels Page: 117 The Effect of Increasing Concentration Page: 120 Isotopes—Determining How Old Something Is Page: 121 Key Ideas Page: 123 Review Questions Page: 124 Chapter 6 Origin and Impact of Greenhouse Gases Page: 127 What People Add to Nature’s Greenhouse Page: 128 How Do We Know Where the Greenhouse Gases Come From? Human Fingerprints versus Nature’s Pawprints Page: 135 How the Greenhouse Gases Affect the Atmosphere Page: 137 Where the Human-Added Greenhouse Gases Come From Page: 141 World Energy Use Page: 144 Defining the Problem—Key Ideas Page: 146 Review Questions Page: 147 Part Three: What We Can Expect and What We Can Do Page: 149 Chapter 7 Consequences of Global Warming Page: 151 Climate Models Page: 151 How Much and How Soon Will Climate Change? Page: 157 Impacts of Climate Change Page: 165 Regional Climate Changes Page: 167 Back to the Future—Will the Past Repeat Itself? Page: 170 Results of Climate Models—Levels of Certainty Page: 173 Key Ideas Page: 180 Review Questions Page: 181 Chapter 8 Resetting the Earth’s Thermostat—Solutions Page: 185 Electrical Power: The Problem with Coal Page: 186 Transportation—The Problem with Oil Page: 203 Steps Toward a Solution Page: 210 Stepping Up to the Plate—Taking Action Page: 212 Emissions Trading—Cap and Trade Page: 218 Turning Your Money “Green” Page: 219 Adaptation—Global Band-Aids Page: 219 So Crazy It Just Might Work Page: 220 What You Can Do—Individual Actions Page: 223 Final Thoughts Page: 225 Key Ideas Page: 226 Review Questions Page: 227 Final Exam Page: 231 Appendix A: Glossary Page: 247 A Page: 247 C Page: 247 E Page: 248 G Page: 248 H Page: 249 I Page: 249 M Page: 250 N Page: 250 P Page: 250 R Page: 250 S Page: 250 T Page: 250 Appendix B: Milestones in the History of Climate Change Page: 251 Appendix C: Satellites That Monitor Weather and Climate Page: 255 Appendix D: Units of Measurement Applied to Climate Change Page: 259 Temperature Units Page: 260 Measurement of Wavelength Page: 260 Energy and Power Page: 260 Examples of the Use of Prefixes Page: 261 Appendix E: Selected Resources Page: 263 Publications Page: 263 Web Sites Page: 263 Appendix F: Summary of Key Climate Variables Page: 265 Appendix G: Lingering Doubts and Concerns Page: 269 Appendix H: Answers to Chapter Review Questions Page: 273 Appendix I: Answers to Final Exam Page: 275 Index Page: 277 A Page: 277 B Page: 278 C Page: 278 D Page: 280 E Page: 280 F Page: 281 G Page: 281 H Page: 282 I Page: 283 J Page: 283 K Page: 284 L Page: 284 M Page: 284 N Page: 284 O Page: 285 P Page: 286 R Page: 286 S Page: 286 T Page: 288 U Page: 288 V Page: 288 W Page: 289 Y Page: 289

Description:

A non-heated discussion on global warming and climate change Interested in getting to the core of the reasons for the Earth's changing climate? Want an accurate reading on the science behind global warming? Here's your gauge! This easy-to-follow guide offers a temperate view of this hot topic. Global Warming & Climate Change Demystified starts by looking at scientific data gathered from weather instruments, satellite telemetry, ice cores, and coral sections that reveal how the Earth's temperature is changing. The book goes on to examine the causes of climate change, including both natural processes and human-generated greenhouse gases. Finally, the consequences of global warming are discussed and a wide variety of viable solutions that can be implemented by individuals as well as society as a whole are presented. Complete with end-of-chapter quizzes and a final review to test your knowledge, this book will teach you the fundamentals of global warming and climate change in an unbiased and thorough manner. This fast and easy guide offers: A thorough review of scientific data Details on the evidence of global warming worldwide Information on the origin and impact of greenhouse gases Explanations of alternatives to carbon-based energy sources Suggestions for local and global solutions Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Global Warming & Climate Change Demystified is your shortcut to understanding this important and timely issue.