Climate change Books

Book Synopsis'[An] impressively comprehensive, concise introduction to the biggest challenge facing us all – how to get our act together to keep our only planet habitable, for ourselves, our descendants and the living nature we depend on.' Walt Patterson____________‘"Energy" might be a short word, but it's a very big subject, and indeed one of the most important facing our world today. Understanding the ins and outs of how we make the transition to clean energy is a vital modern competence. Stephen Peake provides a top briefing. Informative, accessible and comprehensive, it is a must read for anyone interested in the future of our planet.’ Tony Juniper CBE____________‘The author says it all in his introduction: "Renewable energy powered our lives long before fossil fuels and will do so long after." As successive nations and corporations commit to net zero, the idea of getting our useful work done using clean non-depleting resources is of paramount importance. This witty, wide-ranging yet succinct guide provides a whistle-stop tour of the principal renewable energy technologies and places them elegantly in the contemporary economic, social and political context.’ Jonathan Scurlock, Chief Adviser, Renewable Energy and Climate Change at the National Farmers’ Union–––––––––––––Professor Stephen Peake takes us on a guided tour of the ten most essential aspects of this timely and fast-moving science, examining the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy that lies at the heart of a brighter climate future.Renewable energy is central to managing climate change and our transition to a sustainable energy supply for the 10 billion of us who will populate the earth by 2050. But how will we cope without fossil fuels to heat, cool and light our buildings, power our industry and run our transport systems? And are some renewables better than others? 10 Short Lessons in Renewable Energy distils the key issues of this timely subject, examining how we can harness the power of a range of groundbreaking energy technologies most effectively to achieve a sustainable energy future.About the series: The Pocket Einstein series is a collection of essential pocket-sized guides for anyone looking to understand a little more about some of the most important and fascinating areas of science in the twenty-first century. Broken down into ten simple lessons and written by leading experts in their field, discover the ten most important takeaways from those areas of science you’ve always wanted to know more about.

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Book SynopsisGlobal warming is the most severe environmental challenge faced by humanity today and the costs of responding effectively will be high. While Russia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol ensures the treaty's entry into force, lack of capacity, or incentives to renege on their commitments, will impede mitigation efforts in many countries. An important prerequisite for the proper functioning of the Protocol is that its compliance system - which is spelled out by the Marrakesh Accords - proves effective. Implementing the Climate Regime describes and analyses Kyoto's compliance system. Organized into four parts, Part I describes the emergence and design of the compliance system, while Part II analyses various challenges to its effective operation - such as the development of norms, verification and the danger that the use of punitive 'consequences' may also hurt compliant countries. Part III discusses the potential role of external enforcement, with particular emphasis on trade sanctions. Part IV addresses the relationship between Kyoto compliance on one hand, and international governance, oil companies and green NGOs on the other.Trade Review'Whatever can now be known about the factors shaping compliance and how to respond to potential non-compliance with the Kyoto Protocol is superbly covered by Implementing the Climate Regime.' Detlef Sprinz, PhD, Senior Fellow, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany 'This book gives a good insight in international compliance by focusing on the compliance mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol from different scientific perspectives.' International Journal of Environment and PollutionTable of ContentsPreface * Notes on Contributors * Acronyms and Abbreviations * Introduction and Main Findings * Part I: The Kyoto Compliance Regime: Emergence and Design * The Negotiation of a Kyoto Compliance System * The Kyoto Compliance System: Towards Hard Enforcement * Part II: Challenges to Effective Operation of the Compliance Regime * Flexibility, Compliance and Norm Development in the Climate Regime * Reporting and Verification of Emissions and Removals of Greenhouse Gases * Effective Enforcement and Double-edged Deterrents: How the Impacts of Sanctions also Affect Complying Parties * Part III: External Enforcement - Parties and Non-parties * The Pros and Cons of External Enforcement * Trade Measures, WTO and Climate Compliance: The Interplay of International Regimes * Part IV: Compliance, NGOs and International Governance * The Role of Green NGOs in Promoting Climate Compliance * Major Oil Companies in Climate Policy: Strategies and Compliance * Enhancing Climate Compliance - What are the Lessons to Learn from Environmental Regimes and the EU? * Epilogue: The Future of Kyoto's Compliance System * Index

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Book SynopsisClimate change vulnerability assessment is a rapidly developing field. However, despite the fact that such major trends as globalization and the changing characteristics of the political and economic governance systems are crucial in shaping a community‘s capacity to adapt to climate change, these trends are seldom included in assessments. This book addresses this shortcoming by developing a framework for qualitative vulnerability assessment inmultiple impact studies (of climate change and globalization) and applying this framework to several cases of renewable natural resource use. The book draws upon case studies of forestry and fishing - two of the largest sectors that rely on renewable natural resources - and reindeer herding in the European North. The study represents a bottom-up view, originating with the stakeholders themselves, of the degree to which stakeholders find adaptation to climate change possible and how they evaluate it in relation to their other concerns, notably economic and political ones. Moreover, the approach and research results include features that could be broadly generalized to other geographic areas or sectors characterized by renewable natural resource use.Trade Review'Recommended.' – Choice '[A]n important contribution to the literature on how socio-ecological systems experience and manage change ... [t]he book should appeal to a wide variety of scholars interested in the human dimensions of climatic and environmental changes.' – Arctic Journal 'A valuable contribution to the literature on the human dimensions of global environmental change. Scholars, graduate students and practitioners will benefit from reading and referencing it.' – Polar Research 'This volume provides a detailed and thorough examination of vulnerability and adaptation in the northern European Arctic, and serves as a useful reference for stakeholder views in the forestry, fishing, and reindeer herding sectors.' – Lilian Alessa and Andrew Kliskey, University of Alaska Anchorage, The Journal of Polar Record'Standing out from other climate change vulnerability assessments that do not also include the effects of multiple governance levels (i.e. political and economic globalization) on adaptive capacity to climate change, the book presents a detailed and complex insight into the vulnerabilities of the studied sectors. Further, Keskitalo’s examination of stakeholder adaptive capacity in the European Arctic brings new insight and perspective to a mostly North American body of Arctic research.' – Rebeka Ryvola and Elena von Sperber, Carbon & Climate Law Review.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Vulnerability Assessment in the Context of Multiple Levels and Impacts * Structuring the Conceptions of Change * A Methodology for Vulnerability Assessment * Perceptions of Change, Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity among Forest Industry Stakeholders in Northern Sweden and Finland * Perceptions of Change, Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity among Reindeer Herding Stakeholders in Northern Norway, Sweden and Finland * Perceptions of Change, Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity among Fishing Stakeholders in Northernmost Norway * Conclusion * Index

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Book SynopsisClimate change is a major challenge for us all, but for African countries it represents a particular threat. This book outlines current thinking and evidence and the impact such change will have on Africa's development prospects. Global warming above the level of two degrees Celsius would be enormously damaging for poorer parts of the world, leading to crises with crops, livestock, water supplies and coastal areas. Within Africa, it's likely to be the continent's poorest people who are hit hardest. In this accessible and authoritative introduction to an often-overlooked aspect of the environment, Camilla Toulmin uses case studies to look at issues ranging from natural disasters to biofuels, and from conflict to the oil industry. Finally, the book addresses what future there might be for Africa in a carbon-constrained world.Trade Review'Climate Change in Africa is an authoritative, accurate and insightful analysis of what the global challenge of climate change means for the continent. An essential guide to the mind-boggling climate-related issues considered from an African perspective.' Youba Sokona, Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel 'Camilla Toulmin combines a deep and nuanced knowledge of African society with a profound grasp of the impact of climate change on that continent. Covering both threats and opportunities, she shows how, for good or ill, climate change will be a new and critical driver in the next phase of African development. In the run up to the Copenhagen climate summit, this book should be required reading for anyone wishing to get to grips with the multiple interconnections between climate change and development in the world's poorest continent.' Duncan Green, Oxfam 'Speaking about global warming, who really thinks of Africa? Read Toulmin's book to fully grasp the double injustice of our time: Africa, though without any responsibility for climate change, will dramatically suffer; and yet, the innocent victim is not given much voice at the ongoing climate negotiations.' Wolfgang Sachs, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy 'Climate change is already having profound effects in Africa, from the devastating floods of 2007 to wars which are already breaking out over land and water, as people start to move. And this is on the basis of world temperature changes which are small relative to those we risk if we carry on for much longer as we are. Of all the continents , Africa is least responible for these changes. Camilla Toulmin with her long experience of working in rural Africa, her scholarship and her leadership of the IIED, is especially qualified to analyse and explain the issues and to point to the policies which the world must follow. This is a very clear, reasoned and thoughtful book which will be of great importance in the crucial discussions which lie ahead.' Lord Nicholas Stern 'Climate change justice is important for Africa because she has emitted a relatively negligible amount of carbon in the last 200 years of industrialization, and yet scientists say she will be among the countries hardest hit by climate change. Climate change will have devastating impacts for millions of people worldwide, particularly the poor. This new book takes a timely look into the policies, politics and roles different actors in society need adopt to effectively address climate change.' Wangari Maathai, August 2009, 2004 Nobel peace prize winner 'Climate Change in Africa carries a strong message: .....are we going to design a world that preserves the way of life of the rich or addresses the urgent needs of the poor.... Predictions are that Africa faces serious challenges given the expected climate change impacts and the message of Toulmin's book is that effective adaptation policies and strategies are urgently needed in order to prevent large scale loss of income and livelihoods. In her book, Toulmin calls for a stronger voice for Africa in climate change debates and argues that energy security of the rich can not come at a price of loss of food security for the poor.' Yda Schreuder, author of 'The Corporate Greenhouse'Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Global Climate Change and Africa 3. Water 4. Food 5. Forests 6. Cities 7. Climate Change and Conflict 8. Africa and the Low-Carbon Economy 9. Looking Forward Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThis book explores China’s quest for energy sources, raw materials and natural resources around the world, with a specific emphasis on oil. China’s ubiquitous presence in Africa, Asia and Latin America is reshaping the world with regards to economics, politics and national security. It offers a comprehensive examination of China’s energy security strategy. The first two chapters delve into Chinese relations with energy markets and the world, and the global geopolitics of China's resource quest. This introductory section is complemented by three in-depth country case studies: Angola, Brazil and Cambodia. The two concluding chapters cover opportunities and risks to China, and examine how strategies can be developed into tangible actions. The volume also examines a number of overlapping debates regarding the varieties of capitalisms (autocratic vs. democratic), the urgent need for rebalancing as the world undergoes global financial crises and contestations to traditional powers, and the issues surrounding natural resource extraction in the context of global governance, neoliberalism and poverty traps.Key Features· Offers an in-depth analysis on the geopolitics of China's resource quest.· Assists students and scholars in understanding the Chinese model of autocratic capitalism and China’s novel ways of securing resources across three continents.· Explains China’s energy security strategy and its implications on US national security.· Explores the links between international relations and the geopolitics of scarcity.Trade Review"The Hungry Dragon arrives at a perfect time. Burgos and Ear, already authorities on China’s appetite for resources across the world in journals as varied as Asian Survey, Geopolitics and the Journal of Contemporary China, have written a book of incredible scope and breadth. The Hungry Dragon is the culmination of their scholarly efforts and indispensable for students and scholars of China and energy security alike. If you want to know about China’s energy security strategy and how the rest of the world, but most importantly America, should react, read this book!" - Wei Liang, Monterey Institute of International Studies and co-editor, China and Global Trade Governance: China’s Ten-Year Experience in the World Trade Organization"The dragon has awakened. Its appetite for energy and natural resources vastly exceed its internal supplies. This book examines the geopolitical ramifications of China’s quest for critical inputs. Given the increasing interconnectedness of global economies and the inherent limits of energy and natural resources, this book should be on your reading list. The authors write with fluid style and frame the key elements that pertain to this seminally important issue that applies to everyone, especially energy-gluttonous Americans who occupy 5% of the world population but consume 25% of world energy." - Jack Odle, Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University"Despite much alarmism about China's rise and global resource shortages, this well constructed volume suggests that fears of disruptions are misplaced. While the global economy is changing rapidly, China's growing confidence in international affairs means that it's rise is both peaceful and transformative. A very useful corrective to simplistic alarmism, this volume deserves a wide readership among both development and international relations scholars and policy makers."- Simon Dalby, CIGI chair in the Political Economy of Climate Change, Balsillie School of International Affairs."The Chinese empire has reawakened! The hungry dragon provides an outstanding vision of China’s quest to engross oil and other natural resources. Whether you are an expert in energy economics, international trade or national security, or if you simply have an interest on any of these areas, this book is a must read. The authors are recognized scholars with an excellent track record in their respective areas of research. Their experience and interesting writing style make this a very distinctive piece of work." - Dr Marco A. Palma, Associate Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M University ‘The hungry dragon provides an outstanding vision of China’s quest to engross oil and other natural resources … this book is a must read.’- Dr Marco A. Palma, Associate Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M University Burgos and Ear, already authorities on China’s appetite for resources across the world in journals … have written a book of incredible scope and breadth.’ - Wei Liang, Monterey Institute of International Studies and co-editor, China and Global Trade Governance: China’s Ten-Year Experience in the World Trade Organization‘The authors write with fluid style and frame the key elements that pertain to this seminally important issue that applies to everyone.’ - Jack Odle, Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University‘A very useful corrective to simplistic alarmism, this volume deserves a wide readership among both development and international relations scholars and policy makers.’ - Simon Dalby, CIGI chair in the Political Economy of Climate Change, Balsillie School of International Affairs'... a complete research on the China’s economy for the interest of the international community ... The research of Burgos Cáceres and Sophal Ear is easily accessible to a general audi-ence interested in understanding how China became a global power in our century, but also provides enough data to orient any study on the topic for academic specialists and policy practitioners.' - Albeiro Rodas, Don Bosco Foundation of Cambodia 'With its hard realist no-nonsense subtext on China’s voracious appetite for finite resources matched by genuine concerns over potential for conflict and alarming environmental trends, the authors have produced a compelling, if fact-packed, text that should seek a wider audience.' - Geoffrey C. Gunn, Emeritus, Nagasaki University'The Hungry Dragon by Burgos Cáceres and Sophal Ear is a rare book and a treat to read... The data and analysis contained in the book go a long way in illuminating a dynamic geopolitical situation where large global powers, and their money and influence, play a pivotal role in political economies of the countries where the resources are extracted.' Sean Yiath, University of California‘The hungry dragon provides an outstanding vision of China’s quest to engross oil and other natural resources … this book is a must read.’- Dr Marco A. Palma, Associate Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M University Burgos and Ear, already authorities on China’s appetite for resources across the world in journals … have written a book of incredible scope and breadth.’ - Wei Liang, Monterey Institute of International Studies and co-editor, China and Global Trade Governance: China’s Ten-Year Experience in the World Trade Organization‘The authors write with fluid style and frame the key elements that pertain to this seminally important issue that applies to everyone.’ - Jack Odle, Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University‘A very useful corrective to simplistic alarmism, this volume deserves a wide readership among both development and international relations scholars and policy makers.’ - Simon Dalby, CIGI chair in the Political Economy of Climate Change, Balsillie School of International Affairs'... a complete research on the China’s economy for the interest of the international community ... The research of Burgos Cáceres and Sophal Ear is easily accessible to a general audi-ence interested in understanding how China became a global power in our century, but also provides enough data to orient any study on the topic for academic specialists and policy practitioners.' - Albeiro Rodas, Don Bosco Foundation of Cambodia 'With its hard realist no-nonsense subtext on China’s voracious appetite for finite resources matched by genuine concerns over potential for conflict and alarming environmental trends, the authors have produced a compelling, if fact-packed, text that should seek a wider audience.' - Geoffrey C. Gunn, Emeritus, Nagasaki UniversityTable of ContentsPreface I. Introduction Chapter 1: China, Energy, and the World Chapter 2: The Geopolitics of China’s Global Resources Quest II. Country Case Studies Chapter 3: Angola Chapter 4: Brazil Chapter 5: Cambodia III. Conclusion Chapter 6: Assessing Opportunities, Mitigating Risks Chapter 7: From Strategies to Actions Bibliography Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisImprove your German and expand your vocabulary with topics that matter. When it comes to mastering a foreign language, reading around your interests makes all the difference. But finding books designed for language learners can be hard! This book fixes that. For the first time, you'll learn to improve your German while reading about one of the most important topics of the century: climate change. Told through authentic conversations in intermediate German, you'll become confident in the words, phrases and expressions you need to speak about the topics you care about. "Climate Change in Simple German" transports you into a real-world story that unfolds between three German characters. The story, told by the people themselves, focuses on climate change and their effort to learn more about it! With over 30 engaging and informative chapters, you'll immerse yourself in the topic of Climate Change and master German in the process. Here's what you'll get: 1. 34 chapters in conversational German, so you can learn about climate change the fun way; 2. Helpful key facts at the end of each chapter to help guide you through the science; 3. Real, daily spoken German throughout - it's as if we held up a microphone and recorded the exact words coming out of people's mouths - so you can learn natural German; 4. Conversations that are carefully written to be accessible for intermediate learners (CEFR B1-B2), so you can learn from real, spoken conversations; 5. Word lists with English definitions in every chapter, so you can get instant translations of any difficult words. This means you can focus on enjoying the story rather than wasting time in a dictionary (eBook & paperback only); 6. Summaries of each conversation which contextualise each dialogue, so you can easily follow the plot and enjoy the story without getting lost. The story is told in standardised German, so you'll have plenty to learn, whether you're learning the German of Switzerland, Germany, or Austria. Created by Olly Richards, language teacher and author, "Climate Change in Simple German" gives you an experience in real German that you won't find anywhere else. You'll be better prepared for using German in the real world, speak with more confidence, and take a giant leap towards fluency in German!Trade Review"Olly's language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work!" Dr. Barbara Oakley, Bestselling Author of "A Mind for Numbers"Table of ContentsIntroduction; How to Use this Book; The Six-Step Reading Process; A Note From the Editor; Lerne mehr über den Klimawandel auf Deutsch!; Introduction to the Story; Character Profiles; Teil eins: Die grundlagen des klimawandels; Kapitel 1: Was ist der klimawandel?; Kapitel 2: Woher wissen wir, dass sich das klima verändert?; Kapitel 3: Wann begann sich unser klima so schnell zu verändern?; Kapitel 4: Wo können wir gute informationen über den klimawandel finden?; Teil zwei: Elemente des klimas; Kapitel 5: Klimatypen; Kapitel 6: Wie funktioniert die temperatur?; Kapitel 7: Was ist noch heisser als heisse luft? Feuchte luft!; Kapitel 8: Regen, regen, geh nicht weg: Regen, wind und wolken; Teil drei: Das tierreich und der klimawandel; Kapitel 9: Wie wirkt sich der klimawandel auf tiere aus?; Kapitel 10: Im dschungel, im mächtigen dschungel: Die regenwälder; Kapitel 11: Trocken wie eine wüste; Kapitel 12: Grosse fische, kleine fische: Klimawandel und unsere ozeane; Kapitel 13: Wir sind alle miteinander verbunden: Die nahrungskette; Kapitel 14: Was können wir tun, um zu helfen?; Teil vier: Essen; Kapitel 15: Wir sind, was wir essen; Kapitel 16: Was können wir noch essen, wenn wir kein fleisch essen?; Kapitel 17: Vegetarier, veganer und flexitarier: eine ernährung für jeden geschmack!; Kapitel 18: Einen garten anlegen; Kapitel 19: Tierfarmen: wo du gesundes, grünes fleisch findest; Kapitel 20: Konventionelle landwirtschaft; Teil fünf: Energie; Kapitel 21: Lass die sonne rein!; Kapitel 22: Im winde verwehen; Kapitel 23: Die atomkraft; Kapitel 24: So viele arten von energie!; Teil sechs: Abfall; Kapitel 25: Was wir zu hause wegwerfen; Kapitel 26: Das besondere problem des kunststoffs; Kapitel 27: Wasservergeudung; Kapitel 28: Lebensmittelverschwendung; Teil sieben: Ein nachhaltiges leben führen; Kapitel 29: Wie können wir etwas bewirken?; Kapitel 30: Weniger sachen haben; Kapitel 31: Transport und der co2-fussabdruck; Kapitel 32: Mach das licht aus! Spare energie; Kapitel 33: Klimawandel-technologie für die zukunft; Kapitel 34: Ja, wir können etwas bewirken!

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