Climate change Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs the price of oil falls, bestselling author and economist Jeff Rubin takes us to the epicentre of the bursting global carbon bubble, and dares us to imagine a new engine for growth that does not run on oil.For a decade, the vision of Canada's future as an energy superpower has driven the country's political agenda, as well as the fast-paced development of Alberta's oil sands and the push for more pipelines like Keystone XL across the continent to bring that bitumen to market. Anyone who objects to pipelines and tanker-train traffic, north or south of the US border, is labeled a dreamer, or worse—an environmentalist: someone who puts the health of the planet ahead of the economic survival of their neighbours.     In The Carbon Bubble, Jeff Rubin compellingly shows how an economic vision that rests on oil is dead wrong. Changes in energy markets in the US—where domestic production is booming while demand for oil is shrinking&mda

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen it comes to the climate, we don’t need more marketing or anxiety. We need established facts and a plan for collective action.The climate is the fundamental issue of our time, and now we face a critical decision. Whether to be optimistic or fatalistic, whether to profess skepticism or to take action. Yet it seems we can barely agree on what is really going on, let alone what needs to be done. We urgently need facts, not opinions. Insights, not statistics. And a shift from thinking about climate change as a “me” problem to a “we” problem.    The Carbon Almanac is a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between hundreds of writers, researchers, thinkers, and illustrators that focuses on what we know, what has come before, and what might happen next. Drawing on over 1,000 data points, the book uses cartoons, quotes, illustrations, tables, histories, and articles to lay out carbon’s impact on our food system,

Read more less

Book SynopsisA major study of the great environmental issue of our time, outlining the consequences of global warming and the actions required to reduce damage to the planet.Trade Review"A major study. The author's behind-the-scenes experiences of what it is like for a scientist to 'go public' on such a controversial issue gives the book a valuable perspective. His ability to write clearly, engagingly and often with humour, makes this a most readable account." Guernsey Evening Press "An important, informative book." Geoffrey Lean, The Observer "A comprehensive tome aimed at the non-specialist wanting an in-depth analysis of where we are and where we might be going. A well-written account." Times Higher Educational Supplement "Schneider, one of the climatologists at the forefront of the greenhouse debate, provides an entertaining and informative insider's account of the science, politics and personalities behind the issue." The Ecologist "A very comprehensive book covering all aspects of climate change and global warming. Good background reading at a reasonable price for the politician and the layman." Weather, Vol 46, No 6 "An easy read, Schneider provides a useful overview for the uninitiated. For the initiated, his chapter on how the media has railroaded the greenhouse issue is an absolute gem, an any scientist will want to get this book for that chapter alone." Biologist (The Journal of the Institute of Biology), Number 4 "Schneider presents a lucid account of the state of understanding of global warming, of its possible impacts, and of the growing public awareness of the issue. A busy reader in pursuit of one book on the subject need go no further. Best book about the fate of the planet." New Scientist "Dr. Schneider presents scientific facts in accessible terms, building a convincing argument for concern." i to i "Stephen Schneider is uniquely placed to write this most authoritative account of the science and politics behind the problems of global warming. A compelling view of the basic issues and the economic and political implications in easily understood language entertaining and revealing his ability to write clearly, and often with humour, makes this a most readable account." Green Drum

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“Dr. Montano provides a compelling and important view of the complexity of disasters. Through deeply personal experiences interwoven with rigorous scientific evidence, she demonstrates that disaster resilience is the responsibility of all aspects of society, but impacts those at society’s margins deepest. This is a must read for scholars, practitioners and individuals looking to understand, and ultimately break our myopic understanding of disasters and to work towards a more resilient future for all.”—Jeff Schlegelmilch, author of Rethinking Readiness and director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute"A fascinating on-point analysis of our nation's current response to the ongoing climate crisis, and what must be done. Dr. Montano's on-the-ground observations also made the work interesting and relatable." —Sandy Rosenthal, author of four-time award-winning book Words Whispered in Water "Through both her personal experiences and extensive research in emergency management, Dr. Montano guides us from disaster to disaster, chronicling not only what happened in the moment of landfall for hurricanes, ice storms, and floods, but how disasters have reverberations in communities for years to come. This is an essential read for understanding how we got to where we are as a country, and where we might go next." —Devi Lockwood, author of 1,001 Voices on Climate Change"Montano debuts with a compelling account of her career. Linking climate change to the increasingly desctructive natural disasters facing the nation, Montano's part-memoir, part-analysis book is an urgent call to take action." —Library Journal"[Montano] calls for 'disaster justice' and encourages readers to get involved in politics and push for emergency management to be seen as a priority for politicians. This is a great primer on the deficiencies of the country's crisit response aparatus." —Publishers Weekly"Like countless scientists before her, she notes that “it’s not a question of if we will experience the consequences of climate change, but rather how bad it will be.” —Kirkus Reviews"Is humankind prepared to manage the consequences of climate change? That remains to be seen. Is Montano giving up? No. She will continue to fight for “disaster justice” and a betterprepared world." —Booklist

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn appendix documents the many small islands that have dropped entirely from view since the seventeenth century.Trade ReviewA formidable research effort, Disappearing Islands of the Chesapeake makes for hours of escapist perusal by armchair mariners. Delmarva Quarterly 2005 I guarantee you will not lose interest as he isle-hops... touching more than 40 in all-and all disappearing. -- Bill Burton Bay Weekly 2005 Cronin tells an engaging story that's richly underscored by an abundance of vintage maps and archival photographs. Baltimore Magazine 2005 This is very probably the definitive book about the Chesapeake Bay Islands, especially those that are gone with the erosion. -- John Goodspeed Easton Star Democrat 2005 Time, tide, storms and resulting erosion are the enemies... making Cronin's book a valuable resource for future generations. -- Jackie Nickel The Mariner 2005 An island-by-island chronicle of the bay that documents the islands' earliest native and non-native American settlers. and their current fate. -- Catherine Pierre Johns Hopkins Magazine 2005Table of ContentsPrefaceA Note on the Photography of A. Aubrey BodineA Note on References and AbbreviationsIntroductionThe Upper BayGarrett IslandMaids IslandFishing BatterySpesutie IslandPooles IslandHart and Miller IslandsFort CarrollGibson IslandDobbins IslandSt. Helena IslandEastern Neck IslandCacaway IslandKent IslandBodkin IslandParsons IslandPoplar IslandWye IslandBruffs IslandThe Middle BayTilghman IslandJames IslandTaylor's IslandHoopers IslandBarren IslandBloodsworth IslandHolland IslandGreat and Little Fox IslandsWatts IslandDeal and Little Deal IslandsSolomons IslandBroomes IslandJanes IslandThe Lower BaySmith IslandTangier IslandTippety Wichety IslandSt. Georges IslandCobb IslandGwynn's IslandSt. Clement's IslandJamestown IslandVanished Islands of NoteSpry's IslandThree Sisters IslandsSharps IslandAppendix: Lost IslandsIndex

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMost current climate policies require hard-to-enforce collective action and focus on reducing greenhouse gases rather than adapting to their negative effects. Terry Anderson brings together essays by nine policy analysts who argue that adaptive actions can typically deliver much more, faster and more cheaply than any realistic climate policy.Trade ReviewWith headlines of gloom and doom, this book provides the missing, grounded hope, based upon our species remarkable ability to adapt and flourish." —Lance Gilliland, managing director, Tudor Pickering, Holt & Co."In the flood of books and articles about global warming, this book stands out: it is more realistic, honest, and helpful than much of the discussion about climate change policy." —Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works and The Rational Optimist"Brings solid economic thinking to the challenge of harnessing market forces in the service of adaptation to a changing and variable climate." —G. Tracy Mehan III, executive director for government affairs, American Water Works Association"You don't have to agree with faith in the markets to know this book is important. Anyone who cares about the future should pay attention." —McKenzie Funk, journalist and author of Windfall

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisEnergy and Global Climate Change: Bridging the Sustainable Development Divide focuses attention on two urgent global development challenges faced by the UN and its member states: access to sustainable energy for all, and global climate change.Table of ContentsForeword ix Acknowledgments xiii 1 Confronting the Neglected Nexus Between Climate Change and Energy Access for the Poor 1 1.1 Confronting the neglected nexus between climate change and energy access for the poor: Time for “bold action” 1 1.2 Framing the argument and issuing the necessary caveats 20 1.3 Escalating risks and increasing costs of the climate change: Scaling up and linkages matter 27 1.4 Towards a better understanding of the nexus between global climate change and energy access for the poor 35 1.5 Energy access for the poor and climate change cannot exist as separate global silos: A shared post]2015 development agenda necessitates integration not siloization 45 References 49 2 Where is the “Energy” in Global Climate Change Negotiations Outcomes? Examining Key UN Global Climate Change Outcomes from 1992 to 2014 for References to the Nexus Between Climate Change and Energy Access for the Poor 55 2.1 Framing the question: Has energy access for the poor been referenced in key outcomes of 20 years of climate change negotiations? 55 2.2 Global climate change negotiations analyses: A brief overview of broad trends 58 2.3 Examining key global climate change outcomes for references to the “energy” and “poverty reduction” nexus: Has “energy access for the poor” been referenced in key agreed outcomes? 67 2.3.1 The early years: Examining the 1992 UNFCC and the 1997 KP for references to the energy and poverty reduction nexus, and to energy access for the poor 68 2.3.2 The middle years: Examining the Bali Road Map and the Copenhagen Accord for references to the energy and poverty reduction nexus, and to energy access for the poor 77 2.3.3 The recent years: Examining the Cancun Agreements, Durban Outcomes, Doha Climate Gateway, the Warsaw Outcomes and the LCCA for references to the energy and poverty reduction nexus, and to energy access for the poor 83 2.4 The absence of concrete references to “energy access for the poor” in key agreed global climate outputs: A puzzling disconnect in the lead]up to 2015 110 References 113 3 Where’s the “Energy” in Key Un Global Outcomes on Sustainable Development? Examining the Record from Unche 1972 to Rio+20 2012 for References to the Nexus Between Climate Change and Energy Access for the Poor 121 3.1 Setting the stage: Why linkages between energy access for the poor and climate change matter for the UN’s quest for sustainable development 122 3.2 The locus of “energy” within the UN context: Framing the issue of energy access for the poor at the global level 126 3.3 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in key UN global conferences on environment and sustainable development from 1972 to 2000 135 3.3.1 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in the 1972 UNCHE 137 3.3.2 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in the WCED 140 3.3.3 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in the 1992 Agenda 21 145 3.3.4 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in the lead]up to, and in, the 2000 Millennium Declaration and the MDGs 149 3.4 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in key post]millennium UN sustainable development outcomes (2001–2012) 155 3.4.1 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in the 2001 CSD 155 3.4.2 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in the 2002 JPOI 159 3.4.3 Examining the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in the lead]up to, and at, the 2012 Rio+20 Summit: AGECC/SE4All, Global Sustainability Panel Report and the Rio+20 Summit’s Future We Want 166 3.5 Conclusion: Implications for the energy–poverty–climate change nexus in the UN’s post]2015 development agenda 179 References 188 4 Understanding the Acronym Soup of Voluntary Initiatives and Partnerships on Sustainable Development Within the UN Context: Locating Energy Access and Climate Change Voluntary Efforts 193 4.1 Delving into the acronym soup of voluntary initiatives for sustainable development at the UN 193 4.2 The variegated world of PSDs, GPSD and VCs within the UN context: Making the case for conceptual and definitional clarity 196 4.3 Tracing the emergence of PSDs, GPSD, and VCs within key global sustainable development outcomes from 1992 to 2014: Locating energy access and climate change 204 4.4 An abundance of voluntary initiatives but an absence of a universal accountability framework: Examining energy access and climate change initiatives 216 4.5 Need for improved clarity and accountability of voluntary initiatives on sustainable development 225 References 228 5 Towards an Integrated Framework on Energy Access for the Poor and Climate Change: Issues to Consider for the UN]Led Post]2015 Development Agenda 231 5.1 The absence of “energy access for poor” in the negotiating silos on climate change and sustainable development: Summary of findings 232 5.2 Separate silos pose challenges for a shared post]2015 development agenda 235 5.3 Increasing energy access for the poor and reducing SLCPs: Two key global multi]stakeholder initiatives 242 5.4 Bold action is needed to address the nexus between energy access for the poor and climate change: Possibilities for consideration 246 References 261 Index 265

Read more less

Book SynopsisGlaciers are considered a key and an iconic indicator of climate change. The World Glacier Monitoring Service has noted that global alpine balance has been negative for 35 consecutive years. This highlights the dire future that alpine glaciers face. The goal of this volume is to tell the story, glacier by glacier, of response to climate change from 1984-2015. Of the 165 glaciers examined in 10 different alpine regions, 162 have retreated significantly. It is evident that the changes are significant, not happening at a glacial pace, and are profoundly affecting alpine regions. There is a consistent result that reverberates from mountain range to mountain range, which emphasizes that although regional glacier and climate feedbacks differ, global changes are driving the response. This book considers ten different glaciated regions around the individual glaciers, and offers a different tune to the same chorus of glacier volume loss in the face of climate change.Table of ContentsForeword xi 1 Alpine Glaciers: An Introduction 1 1.1 Glacier Observation Programs 1 1.2 Importance of Mountain Glaciers 3 1.3 Glacier Terminus Response to Climate Change 3 1.3.1 Equilibrium Response 3 1.3.2 Disequilibrium Response 4 1.3.3 Accumulation Zone Changes 4 1.3.4 Terminus Response Factors 4 1.4 Glacier Runoff 5 1.5 Climate Change and Impact of Runoff 5 References 7 2 Glacier Mass Balance 10 Overview 10 References 14 3 Juneau Icefield 16 Overview 16 3.1 Norris Glacier 19 3.2 Lemon Creek Glacier 20 3.3 Mendenhall Glacier 22 3.4 Herbert Glacier 23 3.5 Eagle Glacier 24 3.6 Gilkey Glacier 25 3.7 Antler Glacier 26 3.8 Field Glacier 28 3.9 Llewellyn Glacier 29 3.10 Tulsequah Glacier 30 3.11 Twin Glacier 31 3.12 Taku Glacier 35 References 37 4 Northern Patagonia Icefield region 38 Overview 38 4.1 Reichert Glacier 39 4.2 Gualas Glacier 41 4.3 San Rafael Glacier 43 4.4 San Quintín Glacier 43 4.5 Fraenkel Glacier 45 4.6 Benito Glacier 46 4.7 Acodado Glacier 47 4.8 Steffen Glacier 49 4.9 HPN4 Glacier 49 4.10 Colonia Glacier 51 4.11 Nef Glacier 53 4.12 Leones Glacier 54 4.13 Fiero Glacier 56 4.14 Grosse Glacier 56 4.15 Verde Glacier 57 References 59 5 South Georgia, Kerguelen, and Heard Islands 61 Overview 61 5.1 Twitcher Glacier 62 5.2 Herz Glacier 64 5.3 Weddel Glacier 64 5.4 Bertrab Glacier 65 5.5 Ross–Hindle Glacier 66 5.6 Heaney Glacier–Cook Glacier 66 5.7 Nordenskjold Glacier 67 5.8 Harker and Hamberg Glaciers 68 5.9 Neumayer Glacier 68 5.10 Konig Glacier 69 5.11 Purvis Glacier 71 5.12 Stephenson Glacier–Heard Island 72 5.13 Agassiz Glacier–Kerguelen Island 74 5.14 Ampere Glacier 75 5.15 Lapparent Glacier 75 5.16 Lake District 76 References 79 6 Svalbard: Hornsund Fjord region 80 Overview 80 6.1 South Coast of Hornsund 80 6.2 Eastern Hornsund Glacier change 83 6.3 North side of Hornsund 84 6.4 Sorkappland 85 References 87 7 NovayaZemlya 89 Overview 89 7.1 Kropotkina Glacier 89 7.2 Moshniy Glacier 90 7.3 Vilkitskogo Glacier 91 7.4 Krivosheina Glacier 94 7.5 Nizkiy Glacier 95 7.6 Glazova Glacier 95 7.7 Krayniy Glacier 96 7.8 Taisija Glacier 98 7.9 Chernysheva Glacier 98 7.10 Borzova Glacier 99 7.11 Mack and Velkena Glaciers 99 References 100 8 North Cascade Range, Washington USA 101 Overview 101 8.1 Skykomish River Basin 102 8.1.1 Lynch Glacier 102 8.1.2 Hinman Glacier 103 8.1.3 Foss Glacier 105 8.1.4 Columbia Glacier 105 8.1.5 Skykomish Streamflow Impact 107 8.2 Mount Baker and Nooksack River 108 8.2.1 Sholes Glacier 2013 109 8.2.2 Rainbow Glacier 110 8.2.3 Roosevelt Glacier 113 8.2.4 Coleman Glacier 115 8.2.5 Deming Glacier 116 8.2.6 Easton Glacier 119 8.2.7 Boulder Glacier 120 8.3 Glacier Runoff Impact 121 References 126 9 Interior Ranges, British Columbia/Alberta 129 Overview 129 9.1 Yoho Glacier 130 9.2 Des Poilus Glacier 132 9.3 Waputik Icefield–Daly Glacier 133 9.4 Cummins Glacier 134 9.5 Apex Glacier 136 9.6 Shackleton Glacier 136 9.7 Columbia Glacier 136 9.8 Freshfield Glacier 139 9.9 Lyell Icefield–Mons Icefield 139 9.10 Haworth Glacier 139 9.11 Sir Sandford Glacier 144 9.12 Dismal Glacier 144 9.13 Illecillewaet Icefield 145 9.14 Deville Icefield 146 9.15 Conrad Icefield 147 9.16 Vowell Glacier 149 References 151 10 Himalaya 152 Overview 152 10.1 Middle Lhonak Glacier 154 10.2 South Lhonak Glacier 155 10.3 North Lhonak Glacier 156 10.4 East Langpo Glacier 156 10.5 Changsang Glacier 156 10.6 Zemu Glacier 157 10.7 Kaer Glacier 160 10.8 Longbashaba Glacier 160 10.9 Zhizhai Glacier 161 10.10 Jimi Glacier 161 10.11 Yindapu Glacier 162 10.12 Gelhaipuco Glacier 163 10.13 Qangzonkco Glacier 163 10.14 Nobuk Glacier 165 10.15 Nangama Pokhari 166 10.16 Kanchenjunga Glacier 166 References 169 11 New Zealand 171 Overview 171 11.1 Mueller Glacier 171 11.2 Hooker Glacier 173 11.3 Tasman Glacier 174 11.4 Murchison Glacier 174 11.5 Douglas Neve 176 11.6 La Perouse Glacier 177 11.7 Balfour Glacier 180 11.8 Fox Glacier 181 11.9 Franz Josef Glacier 181 11.10 Classen Glacier 183 11.11 Godley Glacier 184 11.12 Lyell Glacier 184 References 185 12 Alps: Mont Blanc–Matterhorn Transect 187 Overview 187 12.1 Mer De Glace 188 12.2 Glacier d’Argentiere 190 12.3 Tour de Glacier 191 12.4 Trient Glacier 192 12.5 Saleina Glacier 194 12.6 Bossons Glacier 194 12.7 Taconnaz Glacier 195 12.8 Bionnassay Glacier 195 12.9 Otemma Glacier 196 12.10 Breney Glacier 197 12.11 Gietro Glacier 198 12.12 Corbassière Glacier 198 12.13 Glacier du Mont Miné 198 12.14 Ferpécle Glacier 200 12.15 Gornergletscher 202 12.16 Findelengletscher 203 12.17 Theodulgletscher 204 12.18 Lex Blanche Glacier 206 12.19 Miage Glacier 208 12.20 Brouillard Glacier 208 12.21 Freney Glacier 208 References 209 13 Alpine Glacier Change Summary 211 References 212 Index 215

Read more less

Book SynopsisEffects of global warming on the physical, chemical, ecological structure and function and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems are not well understood and there are many opinions on how to adapt aquatic environments to global warming in order to minimize the negative effects of climate change. Climatic Change and Global Warming of Inland Waters presents a synthesis of the latest research on a whole range of inland water habitats lakes, running water, wetlands and offers novel and timely suggestions for future research, monitoring and adaptation strategies. A global approach, offered in this book, encompasses systems from the arctic to the Antarctic, including warm-water systems in the tropics and subtropics and presents a unique and useful source for all those looking for contemporary case studies and presentation of the latest research findings and discussion of mitigation and adaptation throughout the world. Edited by three of the leading limnologists in the fielTrade Review“Limnologists, climate change biologists, fresh water ecologists, paleo-ecologists and students taking courses on earth and environmental sciences, will find this book summarising over 2,000 references to the scientific literature invaluable. It is equally of interest for policy makers, engineers and planners dealing with the climate change-freshwater ecology interphase.” (Latin American J. Management for Sustainable Development, 1 October 2014) “In summary, this is a delightful book that will appeal to limnologists, freshwater ecologists, hydrologists, paleoenvironmental scientists, and water engineers. There is also plenty inside for those students and researchers who are simply curious about some of the most remote and remarkable water landscapes on Earth.” (Quarterly Review Biology, 1 March 2015) “Readers with an interest in climate change will find this book challenging and informative; however, its target audience is those with a good general back-ground in physical sciences towards the graduate and professional level.” (New Zealand Geographer, 1 April 2014) “The book is a real representative one for environmental education, since it can assist students who are in the process of selecting an inspiring, relevant topic for their studies and later, their final research reports.” (Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 1 February 2014) “Overall, a valuable resource for graduate students and professional scientists and engineers, but less appropriate for undergraduates and the lay public. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students and above.” (Choice, 1 October 2013) Table of ContentsList of Contributors xiii Preface xix Part I Impacts on Physical, Chemical, and Biological Processes 1 1 Climate Change Impacts on the Hydrology and Biogeochemistry of Arctic Rivers 3 Robert M. Holmes, Michael T. Coe, Greg J. Fiske, Tatiana Gurtovaya, James W. McClelland, Alexander I. Shiklomanov, Robert G.M. Spencer, Suzanne E. Tank, and Alexander V. Zhulidov 2 Climate Impacts on Arctic Lake Ecosystems 27 Warwick F. Vincent, Isabelle Laurion, Reinhard Pienitz, and Katey M. Walter Anthony 3 Trends in Hydrological and Hydrochemical Processes in Lake Baikal under Conditions of Modern Climate Change 43 M.N. Shimaraev and V.M. Domysheva 4 Hydrological Analysis of the Yellow River Basin, China 67 Xieyao Ma, Yoshinobu Sato, Takao Yoshikane, Masayuki Hara, Fujio Kimura, and Yoshihiro Fukushima 5 Water Resources under Climate Change in the Yangtze River Basin 79 Marco Gemmer, Buda Su, and Tong Jiang 6 Biogeochemical Ecosystem Dynamics in Lake Biwa under Anthropogenic Impacts and Global Warming 95 Mitsuru Sakamoto 7 Eutrophication, Warming and Historical Changes of the Plankton Community in Lake Biwa during the Twentieth Century 111 Narumi K. Tsugeki and Jotaro Urabe 8 Numerical Simulation of Future Overturn and Ecosystem Impacts for Deep Lakes in Japan 131 Daisuke Kitazawa 9 Model Development to Evaluate the Impacts of Climate Change on Total Phosphorus Concentrations in Lakes 145 Kohei Yoshiyama 10 Recent Climate-Induced Changes in Freshwaters in Denmark 155 Erik Jeppesen, Brian Kronvang, Torben B. Jørgensen, Søren E. Larsen, Hans E. Andersen, Martin Søndergaard, Lone Liboriussen, Rikke Bjerring, Liselotte S. Johansson, Dennis Trolle, and Torben L. Lauridsen 11 Lake Phytoplankton Responses to Global Climate Changes 173 Kirsten Olrik, Gertrud Cronberg, and Hel´ene Annadotter 12 The Influence of Climate Change on Lake Geneva 201 Ulrich Lemmin and Adeline Amouroux 13 Climate Change and Wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region of North America: Effects, Management and Mitigation 219 Marley J. Waiser 14 Historic and Likely Future Impacts of Climate Change on Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, USA 231 Robert Coats, Goloka Sahoo, John Riverson, Mariza Costa-Cabral, Michael Dettinger, Brent Wolfe, John Reuter, Geoffrey Schladow, and Charles R. Goldman 15 Our New Biological Future? The Influence of Climate Change on the Vulnerability of Lakes to Invasion by Non-Native Species 255 Marion E. Wittmann, Ka Lai Ngai, and Sudeep Chandra 16 Long-Term Changes in the Lake Kinneret Ecosystem: The Effects of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Factors 271 Ilia Ostrovsky, Alon Rimmer, Yosef Z. Yacobi, Ami Nishri, Assaf Sukenik, Ora Hadas, and Tamar Zohary 17 Climate Change and the Floodplain Lakes of the Amazon Basin 295 John M. Melack and Michael T. Coe 18 Climatic Variability, Mixing Dynamics, and Ecological Consequences in the African Great Lakes 311 Sally MacIntyre 19 Effects of Climate Change on New Zealand Lakes 337 David P. Hamilton, Chris McBride, Deniz Ozkundakci, Marc Schallenberg, Piet Verburg, Mary de Winton, David Kelly, Chris Hendy, and Wei Ye 20 Global Change Effects on Antarctic Freshwater Ecosystems: The Case of Maritime Antarctic Lakes 367 Antonio Quesada and David Velazquez Part II Impacts on Societies 383 21 Adaptation to a Changing Climate in Northern Mongolia 385 Clyde E. Goulden and Munhtuya N. Goulden 22 Managing the Effects of Climate Change on Urban Water Resources 395 Gabriela da Costa Silva Part III Mitigation Approaches 413 23 Water Management Preparation Strategies for Adaptation to Changing Climate 415 Balazs M. Fekete and Eugene Stakhiv 24 In Search of Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Global Warming on Aquatic Ecosystems 429 Justin D. Brookes, Martin Schmid, Dominic Skinner, and Alfred Wuest 25 Artificial Decomposition of Water into Hydrogen and Oxygen by Electrolysis to Restore Oxygen in Climate Change-Impacted Waters 449 Michio Kumagai and Hiroyasu Takenaka 26 Summary and Conclusions 455 Michio Kumagai Index 461

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor decades, the world’s governments have struggled to move from talk to action on climate. Many now hope that growing public concern will lead to greater policy ambition, but the most widely promoted strategy to address the climate crisis – the use of market-based programs – hasn’t been working and isn’t ready to scale. Danny Cullenward and David Victor show how the politics of creating and maintaining market-based policies render them ineffective nearly everywhere they have been applied. Reforms can help around the margins, but markets’ problems are structural and won’t disappear with increasing demand for climate solutions. Facing that reality requires relying more heavily on smart regulation and industrial policy – government-led strategies – to catalyze the transformation that markets promise, but rarely deliver.Trade Review“Cullenward and Victor provide a refreshingly honest and pragmatic perspective on this complex field. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in climate policy and carbon pricing.”David Wright, University of Calgary “This is a must-read for policymakers, especially the climate intelligentsia who believe that market-based policies are a panacea for the existential threat of climate change. Cullenward and Victor shatter that myth and chart a better course based on proven models that achieve tangible results.”Kevin de León, California Senate President Emeritus “I have spent my career trying to answer the question posed by Cullenward and Victor – how to make climate policy work. This book provides a compelling answer: the deep decarbonization the world needs will only be achieved when governments commit to a vision of transformation that all actors can work towards.”Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, Founder of IDDRI

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis*A New York Times Editor's Choice pick*Shortlisted for the 2022 Pacific Northwest Book AwardsA beloved natural historian explores how climate change is driving evolution  In Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid, biologist Thor Hanson tells the remarkable story of how plants and animals are responding to climate change: adjusting, evolving, and sometimes dying out. Anole lizards have grown larger toe pads, to grip more tightly in frequent hurricanes. Warm waters cause the development of Humboldt squid to alter so dramatically that fishermen mistake them for different species. Brown pelicans move north, and long-spined sea urchins south, to find cooler homes. And when coral reefs sicken, they leave no territory worth fighting for, so aggressive butterfly fish transform instantly into pacifists. A story of hope, resilience, and risk, Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid is natural history for readers of Bernd Heinrich, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and David Haskell. It is also a reminder of how unpredictable climate change is as it interacts with the messy lattice of life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this sweeping work of science and history, the renowned climate scientist and author of The New Climate War shows us the conditions on Earth that allowed humans not only to exist but thrive, and how they are imperiled if we veer off course.   For the vast majority of its 4.54 billion years, Earth has proven it can manage just fine without human beings. Then came the first proto-humans, who emerged just a little more than 2 million years ago—a fleeting moment in geological time. What is it that made this benevolent moment of ours possible? Ironically, it’s the very same thing that now threatens us—climate change. The drying of the tropics during the Pleistocene period created a niche for early hominids, who could hunt prey as forests gave way to savannahs in the African tropics. The sudden cooling episode known as the “Younger Dryas” 13,000 years ago, which occurred just as Earth was thawing out of the last Ice Age, spurred the development of agriculture in the fertile crescent. The “Little Ice Age” cooling of the 16th-19th centuries led to famines and pestilence for much of Europe, yet it was a boon for the Dutch, who were able to take advantage of stronger winds to shorten their ocean voyages. The conditions that allowed humans to live on this earth are fragile, incredibly so. Climate variability has at times created new niches that humans or their ancestors could potentially exploit, and challenges that at times have spurred innovation. But there’s a relatively narrow envelope of climate variability within which human civilization remains viable. And our survival depends on conditions remaining within that range.   In this book, renowned climate scientist Michael Mann will arm readers with the knowledge necessary to appreciate the gravity of the unfolding climate crisis, while emboldening them—and others--to act before it truly does become too late.    

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOur earliest mythologies tell us we all start as a little bit of dirt. These stories carry a profound message: each of us is born with a deep and abiding connection to the earth, one that many of us have lost touch with. The Silent Spring for today''s environmental activists, this book offers an invitation to reestablish our relationship with nature to repair our damaged environment. Chapter 1 examines the threats to the planet''s health through the lens of the human energy system known as the chakras, describing how the broken first chakra relates to our disconnection from our biosphere. Chapter 2 shows how our current environmental crises--global warming, climate change, dwindling water resources, natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes--represent severe manifestations of our disconnection from the earth.Chapter 3 describes how the preponderance of oil in our culture--especially agribusiness--compounds this disconnection, from our dependence on other countries for our energy, to current issues of oil depletion, peak oil, and fracking, to the dumbing down of our agricultural polyculture.Chapter 4 explains how the most basic building blocks of our nourishment--seeds--are being compromised with a loss of biodiversity and rise of GMOs, and how that adversely affects the farmers whose sacred connection to the land has in many cases been severed. Chapter 5 describes the ways in which we as individuals can begin to wake up to climate activism as a spiritual practice. This chapter includes specific activities that you can use to implement change and heal your own connection to the earth. By learning and practicing ritual and understanding the earth''s rhythms and seasonal rites of passage, each of us can find unique ways to heal our own connections and help others heal theirs. Chapter 6 brings to life Goethe’s wisdom: “Knowing isn’t enough; neither is being willing. We must do,” by providing strategies and resources for exploring how each of us can find our own Earth Calling, then anchoring that calling with the only force that ignites change: Action.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis “Regenerative agriculture is going to be a key phrase in the decades ahead―and this book will get you in on the ground floor, so to speak. Not much could be more important!”―Bill McKibben, author of Falter Wondering what you can do to help address the global climate crisis? Joining the Grassroots Rising ‘Regeneration Revolution’ might be the best first step... Grassroots Rising is a passionate call to action for the global body politic; providing practical solutions for how to survive - and thrive - in catastrophic times. Author Ronnie Cummins educates and inspires citizens worldwide to organise and become active participants in preventing ecological collapse. This book offers a blueprint for building a ‘Regeneration Movement’ based on consumer activism, farmer innovation, political change, and regenerative finance, embodied most recently by the proposed Green New Deal in the US. Using regenerative agriculture practices that restore our agricultural and grazing lands, we can sequester massive amounts of carbon back into the soil. Coupled with an aggressive transition toward renewable energy sources, Cummins argues that we have the power to not only mitigate and slow down climate change, but actually reverse global warming. Grassroots Rising shows us that the solution lies right beneath our feet - and at the end of our forks - through the transformation of food systems around the world.Trade Review“The world is finally waking up to the ecological and climate emergency and the urgent need to realign the economy with the laws of ecology. In Grassroots Rising, tireless activist Ronnie Cummins outlines how we can address the multiple crises of our time by making a transition from industrial agriculture and food systems to a regenerative agriculture that recycles carbon and nitrogen in forests, grasslands, and farms; reverses climate change; creates healthy soils; and halts species extinction and the erosion of biodiversity. This is a book that should be in the hands of every activist working on food and farming, climate change, and the Green New Deal.”—Vandana Shiva, scientist, environmentalist, social activist; author of Earth Democracy, Soil Not Oil, and Stolen Harvest“Regenerative agriculture is going to be a key phrase in the decades ahead—and this book will get you in on the ground floor, so to speak. Not much could be more important!”—Bill McKibben, author of Falter“Grassroots Rising is one of the most important books you will ever read. It shows the existential environmental and health disasters caused by the toxic and degenerative practices of the poison cartels, Big Agriculture, the fossil fuel industries, predator tycoons, and the money manipulators. Most importantly, though, it is a book with good news! It outlines a logical and very achievable pathway for how we can shift from degeneration to regeneration and make this a healthy, fair, prosperous, diverse, democratic, and environmentally robust world for all of us.”—André Leu, former president, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM); author of The Myth of Safe Pesticides“Healthy soil, healthy plants, healthy animals, healthy food, healthy people. My friend and fellow activist Ronnie Cummins makes a strong case for how organic and regenerative food, farming, and land use can lead us to a healthier and happier world with a stable climate.”—Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder, Mercola.com“Grassroots Rising is not only a rousing call to action, but a book that also demystifies the confusing rhetoric about carbon that stops many of us from taking action. Ronnie Cummins, with clear and uncomplicated examples, puts the magnifying glass on the Climate Chaos issue, how it’s connected to farming and land use, and shows us exactly what needs to be done to save life on the planet within the next ten years. If you have been confused or depressed about the future, read this book. It’s time to regenerate.”—Zen Honeycutt, Moms Across America“The future doesn’t have to be gloomy. In this upbeat call to action, Ronnie Cummins, longtime campaigner for healthy food and land, guides us on a hopeful and pragmatic journey into the crucial upcoming decade. A Regenerative Economy is not pie-in-the-sky; it can be done. We have all the tools we need. And thanks to leaders such as Ronnie, we know what to do. This book is a must-read!”—Courtney White, author of Grass, Soil, Hope and Two Percent Solutions for the PlanetTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Rules for Regenerators 2. Regeneration: The Big Picture 3. Regeneration Driver #1: Grassroots Awareness, Political Mobilization, and Marketplace Demand 4. Regeneration Driver #2: Carbon Farming, Reforestation, and Ecosystem Restoration 5. Regeneration Driver #3: Politics and Public Policy 6. Regeneration Driver #4: Commerce and Investment 7. The Global Road to Regeneration 8. Roadmap to Regeneration in the U.S., 2020-2030 Resources Notes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn 800-CEO-READ "Editor's Choice" March 2019 How We Can Harness Carbon to Help Solve the Climate Crisis In order to rescue ourselves from climate catastrophe, we need to radically alter how humans live on Earth. We have to go from spending carbon to banking it. We have to put back the trees, wetlands, and corals. We have to regrow the soil and turn back the desert. We have to save whales, wombats, and wolves. We have to reverse the flow of greenhouse gases and send them in exactly the opposite direction: down, not up. We have to flip the carbon cycle and run it backwards. For such a revolutionary transformation we’ll need civilization 2.0. A secret unlocked by the ancients of the Amazon for its ability to transform impoverished tropical soils into terra preta—fertile black earths—points the way. The indigenous custom of converting organic materials into long lasting carbon has enjoyed a reawakening in recent decades as the quest for more sustainable farming methods has grown. Yet the benefits of this carbonized material, now called biochar, extend far beyond the soil. Pyrolyzing carbon has the power to restore a natural balance by unmining the coal and undrilling the oil and gas. Employed to its full potential, it can run the carbon cycle in reverse and remake Earth as a garden planet. Burn looks beyond renewable biomass or carbon capture energy systems to offer a bigger and bolder vision for the next phase of human progress, moving carbon from wasted sources: into soils and agricultural systems to rebalance the carbon, nitrogen, and related cycles; enhance nutrient density in food; rebuild topsoil; and condition urban and agricultural lands to withstand flooding and drought to cleanse water by carbon filtration and trophic cascades within the world’s rivers, oceans, and wetlands to shift urban infrastructures such as buildings, roads, bridges, and ports, incorporating drawdown materials and components, replacing steel, concrete, polymers, and composites with biological carbon to drive economic reorganization by incentivizing carbon drawdown Fully developed, this approach costs nothing—to the contrary, it can save companies money or provide new revenue streams. It contains the seeds of a new, circular economy in which energy, natural resources, and human ingenuity enter a virtuous cycle of improvement. Burn offers bold new solutions to climate change that can begin right now. Trade Review“A brilliant, climatic coup that uplifts biochar to an entirely new level of substance and urgency!”—Paul Hawken“We’re in a climate emergency, and we need to be using an awful lot of different approaches—here’s one that definitely deserves to be explored in full.”—Bill McKibben, author of Falter“Burn advances the discussion from fantasies of biochar-based agriculture to normative proposals for many ways the material could theoretically be used as an environmentally attractive, economically competitive resource in many sectors of society. The book opens new avenues of thought, and it will be a valuable reference in the coming decade in helping us to assess the inevitable cascade of ever bigger, riskier, costlier, and zanier proposals for carbon withdrawal.”—Dennis Meadows, 2018 laureate, The Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto“For anyone interested in solutions to climate change, this book is absolutely essential reading. It represents the latest, most innovative thinking and experimentation on removing carbon from the atmosphere. What’s delightfully startling is the authors’ detailed, example-laden argument that we can use carbon to regenerate landscapes while also producing an astounding array of products—from concrete to plastics to batteries to paper—that function better by incorporating the universe’s most versatile element. Written in a clear, entertaining style, Burn is an incendiary contribution.”—Richard Heinberg, senior fellow, Post Carbon Institute“I cannot recommend this book highly enough for going deep into the science of a potentially revolutionary technology that could be capable of stopping dangerous climate change in its tracks. For anyone who wants to know how societies can transform the very fabric of how we run our industries so that we protect and enhance our environment, not destroy it—while contributing to thriving economies—this is literally the manual. It is, in short, a window into the future we could build together. So read it, and start building.”—Dr. Nafeez Ahmed, system shift columnist, Motherboard; editor-in-chief, INSURGE Intelligence; research fellow, The Schumacher Institute“What if we could make carbon our ally, instead of our enemy, in preserving this planet? This deeply detailed book is about far more than the ancient, carbon-fixing Amazonian soil technology called terra preta. Practically everything humans do, Burn shows, could reimburse the Earth for the carbon we’ve exhumed, leaving civilization far cleaner and healthier—and with a chance for a future.”—Alan Weisman, author of Countdown, The World Without Us, and Gaviotas“Carbon, the most promiscuous of elements, can be our ruination or by better management, our salvation. Burn is a clear, accessible, and luminescent blueprint for the latter. It really is a must-read.”—David Orr, author of Dangerous Years“Carbon is the element that likes to hold hands and collaborate. We can learn a lot from carbon if we stop demonizing it. Burn does an exceptional job telling the vital story of how carbon can address the interconnected crises in waste, energy, food, soil, water, and, most pressingly, climate. This book plays a critical role in educating us to reorient with carbon math, reimagine the role of carbon cascades, and redesign the carbon cycle.”—Amanda Joy Ravenhill, executive director, Buckminster Fuller Institute“Reading Albert Bates is always a delight. He challenges us in his humorous, outside-the-box style with deep, practical, and original carbon insights based on years of experience as one of the world’s leading permaculture experts. His solutions are low-cost, scalable, and doable—right on.”—Ross Jackson, chair of Gaia Trust, Denmark; author of Occupy World Street“This book is a big deal. It argues persuasively that carbon has been vilified for far too long. Biochar, a hard, crystal-like form of carbon, can reanimate tired soils and help to mop up vast amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. The authors speak as seasoned scientists as well as practitioners, and their arsenal of arguments offers more than a glimpse of hope in a world threatened with climate doom. If there is a way out, here is a bunch of keys to the door at the end of the tunnel.”—Herbert Girardet, cofounder, World Future Council; executive council member, Club of Rome“Brilliant in its range and depth, Burn offers an integrated approach to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss and provides potential solutions for tackling the full range of activities that negatively impact our climate. It is a groundbreaking sequel to The Paris Agreement and gives hope to a world currently facing a multiplicity of interlinked crises.”—Feargal Duff, environmental activist

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis“What can I do, personally, about the climate crisis? . . . [Roop] says that civic engagement is one of the most effective ways for individuals to make a difference and to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the climate crisis....Ask yourself, what are you passionate about? Using this passion may motivate you to help shape the future of your community.”—The New York Times Climate Forward newsletterThis must-have book shows us WHY we need to take action now to combat climate change and then, critically, HOW, through easy-to-understand language and fascinating infographics that offer each of us varied and doable solutions to the many challenges facing our planet. As more focus is put on climate science, there is a need for each of us to learn how we can change our habits in our home, communities, and government to save our planet. Enter The Climate Action Handbook. A visually stunning guide, it does what no other climate change book manages to do: it's approachable, digestible, and offers the average person ideas, options, and a roadmap for action. It also offers hope—often overlooked in climate change conversations. Climate actions can create near-instantaneous improvements in air quality and can offer ways to address societal inequities, green our communities, save money, and build local economies. From food and fashion choices, rethinking travel, greening up our homes and gardens, to civic engagement and championing community climate planning, Dr. Heidi Roop shares 100 wide-ranging ways that readers from all walks of life can help move the needle in the right direction. Actions include: • Cutting down on food waste • Reducing your driving speed • Voting in every election • Using the cold-water cycle on your washing machine • Supporting healthy soils in your gardens and community green spaces • Engaging in local climate action planning • Preparing an emergency kit for your home • Deleting unused emails and online accounts • Swapping out milk for nondairy alternatives like oat milk • Opting for slower shipping whenever possible • Regularly maintaining and clean your heating and cooling systems • Engaging in climate conversations at work and at home And many more!Return to this invaluable resource again and again to discover a roadmap for action and much-needed hope. What will your climate journey look like?Trade Review“What can I do, personally, about the climate crisis? [Readers] often ask us a version of this question....[Roop] says that civic engagement is one of the most effective ways for individuals to make a difference and to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the climate crisis....Ask yourself, what are you passionate about? Using this passion may motivate you to help shape the future of your community.”—The New York Times Climate Forward newsletter"[The Climate Action Handbook] provides lots of ideas—like eating more plant-based meals, choosing slower shipping for deliveries, voting in every election, and supporting youth climate activists. ... The ideas are accompanied by striking illustrations that help readers understand what they can do and why it makes a difference."—Yale Climate ConnectionsTable of ContentsContentsPreface Overview Greenhouse Gases: Whey are they such a problem? Understanding the Scale of the Problem Understanding the Inequities of Climate Change Climate Action in Focus: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Climate Impacts Across the United States Starting and Sustaining Your Climate Action Journey Action 1: Consider Collective and Individual Actions Action 2: Understand the Disconnect Between Our Actions and Our Impact Action 3: Be Privy to the Politics of Climate Change Action 4: Beware the Coordinated Corporate Anti-Climate Campaign Action 5: Center Action in Your Strengths and Passions Energy Production and Transportation Action 6: Know What Powers You…and Your Home Action 7: Support Renewables in Your Region Action 8: Curb the Cost of Renewable Energy Action 9: Weigh the Impact of Decarbonization Action 10: Commute Mindfully Action 11: Consider Carpooling and Rideshares Action 12: Buy and Drive an Electric Car Action 13: Drive Efficiently Action 14: Be Idle Free Travel and Work Action 15: Fly Less, Fly Economy Action 16: Vacation Closer to Home Action 17: Hotel or Home Share? Seek Out Eco-Friendly Accommodations Action 18: Reduce Trash When You Travel Action 19: Find Alternatives for Work-Related Travel Action 20: Divest and Reinvest Action 21: Learn More About Climate Financing Action 22: Work Remotely if Possible Action 23: Seek Out Climate Solutions in the Workplace Action 24: Reduce the Climate Footprints in the Buildings Around Us Action 25: Go Green and Cool with Rooftops Action 26: Consider Climate as Part of Your Career Action 27: Use Caution with Corporate Climate Commitments Food and Farming Action 28: Eat Your Broccoli and Pass on the Meat Action 29: Waste Not Want Not: Cut Down on Your Food Waste Action 30: Compost Action 31: Shop for or Order Your Meals Mindfully Action 32: The Climate Cost of Food Take-Out and Delivery Action 33: Thoughtfully Opt for Meat Alternatives Action 34: Switch to Non-Dairy Alternatives Action 35: Assess the Pros and Cons of Eating Local Action 36: Enjoy Your Chocolate Responsibly Action 37: Drink Responsibly--Imbibe with Climate in Mind Action 38: Get to Know Your Favorite Coffee Action 39: Support Local, Sustainable Fisheries Shopping and Consumer Choices Action 40: Reduce Consumption Through Community Sharing Action 41: Turn Away from Fast Fashion Action 42: Weigh Your Diaper Options Carefully Action 43: Ditch the Bottled Water Action 44: Reduce Your Consumption of Disposable Plastic Action 45: Learn About Microplastics and How You Can Avoid Them Action 46: Make More Thoughtful Online Purchases Action 47: Slow Down Your Shipping Action 48: Keep Your Devices Longer and Dispose of Electronics Properly Action 49: Shop Your Values (pull quote or other simple treatment) Action 50: Beware Greenwashing Actions Around the Home Action 51: Protect Your Property and Consider Where You Rent or Buy Action 52: Check your Insurance Policy and Premium Action 53: Prepare a “Go-Bag” and a “Stay-Bin” Action 54: Create a More Energy-Efficient Home Action 55: From Your Cooktop to Rooftop: Work Towards Electrification Action 56: Be Thoughtful About Your Air Conditioning Action 57: Go Solar Action 58: Lighten the Load and Switch to LEDs Action 59: Go Low Flow With Your Fixtures Action 60: Clean Your Clothes Efficiently Action 61: Garden for a Greener Planet Action 62: Reduce Waste and Recycle Action 63: Calculate your Carbon Footprint Nature-based and Natural Solutions Action 64: (Carefully) Consider Carbon Removal and Offsets Action 65: Learn About and Champion Bioenergy and Carbon Capture and Storage Action 66: Plant a Tree…or a Trillion Action 67: Reduce Your Carbon Offsets Action 68: Clean Up Your Dirt Action 69: Support Coastal Wetland Conservation Action 70: Conserve, Restore, (Re)connect Land Action 71: Go Green with Our Infrastructure Action 72: Plant Trees to Shade Houses and Buildings Health and Wellbeing Action 73: Protect Yourself and Your Community from Extreme Heat Action 74: Protect Your Air Action 75: Prepare for More Pests Action 76: Address Your Mental Health and Anxiety Action 77: Express Yourself Creatively Action 78: Buy Beauty Products Responsibly Action 79: Change Your Fitness Pattern and Habits Action 80: Cherish Your Winter Recreation Action 81: Pay the Appropriate Fees for Outdoor Recreation Civic and Community Engagement Action 82: Vote in Every Election Action 83: Engage Your Elected Officials Action 84: Champion Climate Planning in Your Community Action 85: Contribute to a Local Community Groups and Organizations Action 86: Support Youth Climate Activism Action 87: Share Your Observations and Experiences Action 88: Role-Play Climate Solutions Education and Climate Information Action 89: Act on Behalf of Your Children’s Future Action 90: Seek Climate Solutions for School Buses and Buildings Action 91: Teach Climate Change in the Classroom Action 92: Talk Climate with Our Kids Action 93: Be a Savvy Consumer of Information Action 94: Track the State of the Science Action 95: Look to Local Climate Science Leaders Action 96: Look to Local Community Climate Leaders Action 97: Talk About Climate Issues with Friends and Family Action 98: Get Social on Social Media Action 99: Embrace Your Inner Bookworm Action 100: Celebrate Success and Express Gratitude Conclusion: Continuing Your Climate Action Journey

Read more less

Book SynopsisCounting Bounty highlights a widespread blindspot: most of us overlook land and its power to twist an economy. Householders typically spend most of their budget on land without awareness. The story begins with the official and academic efforts to minimize the total worth of Earth in America. A perusal of the historical relationship between the elite and the intellectual shows that "paying the piper" is the norm, even up to the present. Using a slew of statistics and others’ research findings, this book tracks rent to its recipients, the rentiers who own much and wield power. Aware reformers can address pressing problems by tapping land value. Watching rent flow sheds light on how economies operate, why they sometimes fail, and what a society can do about it.Trade Review"The vast number of references and the apt details reflects the enormous amount of expertise and time which has been invested in it." -- Team PlanningTank"Land and money are the two main elements in political economy. Jeff Smith has been digging into "the land problem" for a long time and his expertise in that subject is without question. His findings deserve a wide audience as we struggle to bring into being a more just, equitable, and sustainable world order. In this book, Smith reveals many little-known facts about things that affect our lives, particularly land ownership, the process of rent-seeking, the concentration of wealth, and the corruption of politics, education, and other aspects of society by which the one percent continue to control the general framework of public thought." -- Thomas H Greco, author of The End of Money and the Future of Civilization"All property is made partly out of natural resources that aren't 'naturally' anybody's property. The government makes them into property. It gives them to private interests for free, and they sell it back to us for money. That might be an opportunity for corruption. This book explains problems caused by the way the world's governments dole out resources to the privileged and the potential of a better resource policy." -- Karl Widerquist, an American political philosopher and economist at Georgetown University-Qatar, is co-founder if the US Basic Income Guarantee (USBIG) Network, has been co-chair of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) since 2008, and co-founded Basic Income News in 2011

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTraversing science, politics, and technology, Our Biggest Experiment shines a spotlight on the little-known scientists who sounded the alarm to reveal the history behind the defining story of our age: the climate crisis.Our understanding of the Earth''s fluctuating environment is an extraordinary story of human perception and scientific endeavor. It also began much earlier than we might think. In Our Biggest Experiment, Alice Bell takes us back to climate change science''s earliest steps in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, through the point when concern started to rise in the 1950s and right up to today, where the “debate” is over and the world is finally starting to face up to the reality that things are going to get a lot hotter, a lot drier (in some places), and a lot wetter (in others), with catastrophic consequences for most of Earth''s biomes.Our Biggest Experiment recounts how the world became addicted to fossil fuels, how we discovered that electricity could be a savior, and how renewable energy is far from a twentieth-century discovery. Bell cuts through complicated jargon and jumbles of numbers to show how we''re getting to grips with what is now the defining issue of our time. The message she relays is ultimately hopeful; harnessing the ingenuity and intelligence that has driven the history of climate change research can result in a more sustainable and bearable future for humanity.

Read more less

Book Synopsis“Brilliant, wise, profound and persuasive. Common Sense for the 21st Century will come to be recognized as a classic of political theory.”—George Monbiot, via Twitter An urgent, essential, and practical call to action from a cofounder of Extinction Rebellion What can we all do to avert catastrophe and avoid extinction? Roger Hallam has answers. In Common Sense for the 21st Century, Roger Hallam, cofounder of Extinction Rebellion, outlines how movements around the world need to come together now to start doing what works: engaging in mass civil disobedience to make real change happen. The book gives people the tools to understand not only why mass disruption, mass arrests, and mass sacrifice are necessary but also details how to carry out acts of civil disobedience effectively, respectfully and nonviolently. It bypasses contemporary political theory, and instead is inspired by Thomas Paine, the pragmatic 18th-century revolutionary whose pamphlet Common Sense sparked the American Revolution. Common Sense for the 21st Century urges us to confront the truth about climate change and argues forcefully that only a revolution of society and the state, similar to the turn that Paine urged the Americans to take into the political unknown, can save us now.Trade Review“There is only one question: How do we stop climate change? In this tough-minded and uncompromising book, Roger Hallam gives the answer so many politicians and business people don’t want to hear. Common Sense for the 21st Century is not just an argument; it’s an instruction manual for ripping through the complacency and corruption that will destroy our planet.”—Paul Mason, author of Why It’s Kicking Off Everywhere and Postcapitalism“Is Common Sense for the 21st Century the best hope we’ve got to prevent human extinction? Yes, I think it is.”—Dr. Alexandra Jellicoe, Monkey Wrench Magazine“Hallam . . . is widely seen as the driving force behind [Extinction Rebellion’s] tactics, [and] recommends that activists emulate past movements like the United States civil rights movement and the Yellow Vests in France.”—The New York Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisNineteen leading literary writers from around the globe offer timely, haunting first-person reflections on how climate change has altered their lives—including essays by Lydia Millet, Alexandra Kleeman, Kim Stanley Robinson, Omar El Akkad, Lidia Yuknavitch, Melissa Febos, and moreIn this riveting anthology, leading literary writers reflect on how climate change has altered their lives, revealing the personal and haunting consequences of this global threat.  In the opening essay, National Book Award finalist Lydia Millet mourns the end of the Saguaro cacti in her Arizona backyard due to drought. Later, Omar El Akkad contemplates how the rise of temperatures in the Middle East is destroying his home and the wellspring of his art. Gabrielle Bellot reflects on how a bizarre lionfish invasion devastated the coral reef near her home in the Caribbean—a precursor to even stranger events to come. Traveling through Nebraska, Terese Svoboda witnesses cougars running across highways and showing up in kindergartens.  As the stories unfold—from Antarctica to Australia, New Hampshire to New York—an intimate portrait of a climate-changed world emerges, captured by writers whose lives jostle against incongruous memories of familiar places that have been transformed in startling ways. 

Read more less

Book Synopsis"[A] well-reasoned and eye-opening treatise . . . [Kohei Saito makes] a provocative and visionary proposal." —Publishers Weekly, (starred review)"Saito’s clarity of thought, plethora of evidence, and conversational, gentle, yet urgent tone . . . are sure to win over open-minded readers who understand the dire nature of our global. . . . A cogently structured anti-capitalist approach to the climate crisis." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Why, in our affluent society, do so many people live in poverty, without access to health care, working multiple jobs and are nevertheless unable to make ends meet, with no future prospects, while the planet is burning?In his international bestseller, Kohei Saito argues that while unfettered capitalism is often blamed for inequality and climate change, subsequent calls for “sustainable growth” and a “Green New Deal” are a dangerous compromise. Capitalism creates artificial scarcity by pursuing profit based on the value of products rather than their usefulness and by putting perpetual growth above all else. It is therefore impossible to reverse climate change in a capitalist society—more: the system that caused the problem in the first place cannot be an integral part of the solution. Instead, Saito advocates for degrowth and deceleration, which he conceives as the slowing of economic activity through the democratic reform of labor and production. In practical terms, he argues for: the end of mass production and mass consumption decarbonization through shorter working hours the prioritization of essential labor over corporate profits By returning to a system of social ownership, he argues, we can restore abundance and focus on those activities that are essential for human life, effectively reversing climate change and saving the planet.Trade Review"If you want to get a jump on the book everyone will be talking about this winter, you should preorder Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto now."—Jeva Lange, Heatmap News"Saitō’s proposal is simple, salient, and adapts Marx for the modern day."—The Millions"Looking to start out the year with some big ideas? Look no further."—Tobias Carroll, InsideHook"[A] well-reasoned and eye-opening treatise . . . [Kohei Saito makes] a provocative and visionary proposal." —Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Saito’s clarity of thought, plethora of evidence, and conversational, gentle, yet urgent tone—even when describing the most alarming aspects of the climate crisis—are sure to win over open-minded readers who understand the dire nature of our global situation and that 'green capitalism is a myth.' A cogently structured anti-capitalist approach to the climate crisis."—Kirkus (starred review)"Achieving degrowth communism, [Saito] believes, is less about personal choices and more about changing overarching political and economic structures. Marxism, he argues, offers a viable model for reorienting society around the maximization of public goods as opposed to the endless pursuit and concentration of wealth."—Ben Dooley & Hisako Ueno, The New York Times"This necessary and energizing 21st Century manifesto is a truth mirror inviting us to see ourselves and our place in the metastatic growth engine that is our current economic system. Saito is a well-read soothsayer -- one who loves this world, who has done his homework, and who is eager to share a viable way forward." —John Vaillant, bestselling author of Fire Weather, The Tiger and The Golden Spruce"Kohei Saito is one of the most important scholars in the world. In Slow Down, he delivers a Karl Marx for the climate crisis and a vision of communism for the 21st century. No work could be more vital today." —Malcolm Harris, bestselling author of Palo Alto"Slow Down has an almost magic ability to formulate complex thoughts in clear language, as well as to combine strict conceptual thinking with passionate personal engagement. Saito's book is not just for anyone interested in ecology or in the problems of today's global capitalism, it is simply indispensable for those of us who want to SURVIVE—in short, to all of us."—Slavoj Žižek, author of Violence and The Sublime Object of Ideology "Saitō unites Marxism with ecology and lights a path out of our present crisis. A powerful book from one of the most compelling young thinkers of our time." —Jason Hickel, author of Less is MoreTable of ContentsSlow Down: The Deceleration Manifesto by Kohei Saito, translated by Brian Bergstrom Table of Contents Introduction: SDGs are the Opiate of the Masses! Chapter One Climate Change and the Imperial Mode of Living Chapter Two The Limits of Green Keynesianism Chapter Three Shooting for Degrowth within a Capitalist System Chapter FourMarx in the AnthropoceneChapter Five The Escapism Known as Accelerationism Chapter Six Capitalism’s Scarcity, Communism’s Abundance Chapter Seven Degrowth Communism Will Save the World Chapter Eight The Lever of Climate Justice Conclusion: How to Prevent History’s End

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow will climate change affect our lives? Where will its impacts be most deeply felt? Are we doing enough to protect ourselves from the coming chaos? In Extreme Cities, Ashley Dawson argues that cities are ground zero for climate change, contributing the lion's share of carbon to the atmosphere, while also lying on the frontlines of rising sea levels. Today, the majority of the world's megacities are located in coastal zones, yet few of them are adequately prepared for the floods that will increasingly menace their shores. Instead, most continue to develop luxury waterfront condos for the elite and industrial facilities for corporations. These not only intensify carbon emissions, but also place coastal residents at greater risk when water levels rise.In Extreme Cities, Dawson offers an alarming portrait of the future of our cities, describing the efforts of Staten Island, New York, and Shishmareff, Alaska residents to relocate; Holland's models for defending against the seas; and the development of New York City before and after Hurricane Sandy. Our best hope lies not with fortified sea walls, he argues. Rather, it lies with urban movements already fighting to remake our cities in a more just and equitable way. As much a harrowing study as a call to arms Extreme Cities is a necessary read for anyone concerned with the threat of global warming, and of the cities of the world.Trade ReviewExtreme Cities is a ground-breaking investigation of the vulnerability of our cities in an age of climate chaos. We feel safe and protected in the middle of our great urban areas, but as Sandy and Katrina made clear, and as this fine book reveals anew, the massive shifts on our earth increasingly lay bare the social inequalities that fracture our civilization. -- Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New PlanetMany books have elucidated the ever-increasing dangers of climate change, particularly the disastrous impact that rising sea levels will have on coastal regions, but Dawson goes further as he outlines some potential solutions to this crisis. Massive technological projects may not be what's needed, he finds; instead, the solution may already exist in radical movements to forge a more just and equitable society. * Publishers Weekly *The way we design and live in cities will determine humanity's ability to avoid an anthropogenic mass extinction event in the coming century. Dawson makes this vividly clear in Extreme Cities, laying out in detail the nature of the problem and some possible positive actions we can take. Crucial to his argument is the fact that technological solutions will not be enough, so that we need to drastically reform the capitalist economic system to properly price and value the biosphere and human lives. His point that social justice is now a necessary survival strategy makes this not just a meticulous history and analysis of our situation, but also an exciting call to action. -- Kim Stanley Robinson, author of The Red Mars Trilogy and New York 2140Cities both in the North and the South are already suffering the effects of climate change. Government and business fitfully recognize and respond, but in ways that reinforce existing injustices and as often as not make things worse. Dawson shows how social movements have combined action on disaster relief with forms of equitable common life to produce models for radical adaptation from which we can all learn. This is a brilliant summation of what we know and what we can do build a new kind of city in the ruins of the old. -- McKenzie Wark, author of Molecular Red: Theory for the AnthropoceneA powerful argument in a dire situation: that we revise our cities to the new game changer, or climate change will revise urban existences as we know it. -- Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, director-general of Bengal Institute of Architecture, Landscapes and SettlementsA sophisticated and provocative exploration of the unfolding impact of climate change on urban environments. -- Christoph Lindner, Professor of Urban Theory and Visual Culture, University of OregonA revelatory confrontation between two forms of 'surplus liquidity': the rent-seeking excess of circulating global capital and the more literal liquidity of the rising tides of climate change. The setting is the city and this meticulously researched and argued book probes the nexus of myopia, greed, environmental disaster-and hope-that has placed the urban habitat of billions of us in extremis. -- Michael Sorkin, author of All Over the Map: Writing on Buildings and CitiesA must-read for everyone who wants to understand the politics of climate change in an increasingly urban planet, and to explore the possibilities for radical change beyond all technological fixes and governmental adjustments that only reproduce the system as it is. -- Marco Armiero, director of the Environmental Humanities Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SwedenA superb essay of political ecology, Extreme Cities demonstrates that there is nothing more depending on nature than the city, offering both a diagnosis and a possible therapy for one of the greatest challenges of our time. -- Serenella Iovino, editor of Material Ecocriticism and Environmental Humanities: Voices from the AnthropoceneExtreme Cities takes the critical long view to challenge city decision-makers to deal seriously with the clash of business-as-usual development, threats from climate change, and persistent social inequality to develop real transformations to drive cities toward sustainability and resilience. -- Timon McPhearson, Director, Urban Systems Lab at The New School, New York CityWith the majority of humanity located in cities, it behooves us to consider urban ecologies as recent and future sites of non-natural disasters as well as inspiring places of collective resilience and struggles for justice. Dawson's book is a guiding light. -- T.J. Demos, Professor of History of Art and Visual Culture at UC Santa Cruz, Director of its Center for Creative EcologiesThe definitive study of an urban-and planetary-system pushed to the breaking point. Extreme Cities paints a terrifying, but also hopeful, picture, weaving together accounts of iron-fisted states, greedy real estate developers, and the communities that challenge their rule. -- Jason W. Moore, author of Capitalism in the Web of LifeA profoundly sobering picture of climate change's uneven urban toll, both across global expanses and within particular neighborhoods, while also spotlighting instances of radical, on-the-ground resistance to such trends. -- Emily Scott, Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for the History and Theory of Architecture, ETH Zuric and co-editor of Critical Landscapes: Art, Space, PoliticsA substantive contribution to the growing dialogue about our response-or lack thereof-to climate change. * Kirkus Reviews *Dawson makes a convincing case that, unless urban dwellers and civic leaders engage in a fundamental reconceptualization of the city and whom it serves, the future of urban life is dim. * Publishers Weekly (? Starred Review) *[Dawson] is well attuned to the ways that upheavals and disasters disproportionately affect the socioeconomically disadvantaged. As Donald Trump continues to roll back protection measures and disavow the U.S.'s role in global cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change, [Extreme Cities] is a clear-eyed reminder of who, and what, will be left most vulnerable as a result. * Fast Company *Books on climate change are a dime a dozen now, but few, if any, truly reckon with the potential scale of the disasters that await. Dawson reveals the inadequacies of current plans to deal with the problems that cities around the world will face. Forget such buzzwords as 'green cities,' 'resilience,' and 'sustainable development' - the age of 'disaster communism' is here. * Publishers Weekly *Named one of the top 10 books of the year by Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *[Extreme Cities] is a sobering account of how planetary urbanization has put us on a collision course with the natural world. -- Jonathan Hahn * Sierra Magazine *Extreme Cities is an angry book-as it should be ... Ashley Dawson outlines the existential dilemma facing coastal cities, and the refusal of various powerbrokers to acknowledge that reality, in bold and frequently horrifying terms. -- Chris Barsanti * Rain Taxi *Invoking terms such as "climate apartheid," he greatly expands what people traditionally think of as relevant climate policy language. Recognizing that climate change mitigation and adaptation are interwoven with-and exacerbated by-social inequities and other problems plaguing modern cities is sobering, but this realization provides hope that humanity can move toward greater resilience to environmental problems by addressing non-climatic factors that will improve cities in the presence or absence of climate change. * Choice *Extreme Cities takes on the needed work of slowing down to chronicle and consider this meantime, without shying away from its messiness.More than simply lay out the existence of disparities, it illuminates the relationship between them. -- Liz Koslov * Public Books *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is 2084. Climate change has made life on the Caribbean island of Bajacu a gruelling trial. The sun is so hot that people must sleep in the day and live and work at night. In a world of desperate scarcity, people who reach forty are expendable. Those who still survive in the cities and towns are ruled over by the brutal, fascistic Domins, and the order has gone out for another evacuation to less sea-threatened parts of the capital. Sorrel can take no more and she persuades her mother, Bibi, that they should flee the city and head for higher ground in the interior. She has heard there are groups known as Tribals, bitter enemies of the Domins, who have found ways of surviving in the hills, but she also knows they will have to evade the packs of ferals, animals with a taste for human flesh. Not least she knows that the sun will kill them if they can't find shelter. Diana McCaulay takes the reader on a tense, threat-filled odyssey as mother and daughter attempt their escape. On the way, Sorrel learns much about the nature of self-sacrifice, maternal love and the dreadful moral choices that must be made in the cause of self-protection.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat, then, for the work of poetry? It’s at the very periphery of popular speech, niche even among the arts, yet it’s also rooted in the most ancient traditions of oral storytelling, no matter where your ancestors originate from. And, as we were reminded by an audience member at the New Zealand Young Writers Festival in 2020, who are we to say poetry cannot change the world? A poem may not be a binding policy or strategic investment, but poems can still raise movements, and be moving in their own right. And there is no movement in our behaviours and politics without a shift in hearts and minds. Whether the poems you read here are cloaked in ironic apathy or bare their hearts in rousing calls to action, they all arise from a deep sense of care for this living world and the people in it. Our poets are eulogists and visionaries, warriors and worriers. Most of all, they’re ordinary people prepared to sit and stare at a blank page, trying to do something with the bloody big troubles looming over our past, present and future. (from the introduction by the editor)

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPlanet Earth is heating up, and so is the debate over why our climate is changing and what it means for the future of our energy sources, of our cities, of our children. Now "Time" explores the science of global warming in an illuminating, beautifully illustrated book that ranges from polar ice caps to equatorial rainforests. Here are the scientists who are working to measure and counter the warming trend; here are the world's most endangered habitats and creatures; here are various scenarios for the future. Separating truth from fantasy, "Time" brings a cool eye to today's hottest issue.

Read more less