Description
Book SynopsisHow can we tell who is right, and how we should respond? And why is there no scientific consensus on a matter of such vital importance? This work addresses these questions. It describes how the interplay between familiar phenomena, winds and clouds, light and air, maintains climates that permit a diversity of fauna and flora to flourish on Earth.
Trade Review"S. George Philander ... writes with skill and cool reserve. Is the Temperature Rising? ... is a careful, step-by-step look at confusing data and clarifying science. He is literate, quoting Shelley, Coleridge, and Eliot. And he is reasonably sure we are digging our own grave, though he says so with such understatement that it is easy to overlook the doom and gloom."--William J. Broad, The New York Times Book Review "[The author] guides us through this learning experience with grace, wit, and clarity... Dr. Philander has tried to help us gain ... appreciation [for how significantly human activity is changing atmospheric chemistry] ... and he succeeds."--Robert C. Cowen, Christian Science Monitor "The author explains complex scientific concepts in a precise language and with delightful illustrations... The book is a pleasure to read."--Hans von Storch, Nature "In Is the Temperature Rising?, S. George Philander examines the question historically, meteorologically, chemically and every other way. At the end of the well-written survey, you will know every detail of the subject..."--New Scientist "Ought to be required reading for every eco-preacher."--John Emsley, Times Literary Supplement "A book that can be easily understood by policymakers and scientists, but yet does not sacrifice any detail in background and process is most welcome. Philander may be the first author to write such a comprehensive book ... Indeed, the author deserves immense credit for such a skillful presentation."--Geerat J. Vermeij, The Quarterly Review of Biology
Table of ContentsPreface1Between the Idea and the Reality32Is Our Planet Fragile or Robust?113Light and Air314Why the Peak of a Mountain Is Cold555Capricious Clouds766The Climate Tapestry897Weather, the Music of Our Sphere1068The Ocean in Motion1259El Nino, La Nina, and the Southern Oscillation14310The Paradox of the Faint Sun but Warm Earth16111Why Summer Is Warmer than Winter: The Cycles of Seasons and of Ice Ages17012The Ozone Hole, a Cautionary Tale18313Global Warming, Risky Business191App. A1.1Exponential Growth and Decay209App. A1.2Establishing a Chronology210App. A2.1Gaia214App. A2.2Chaos215App. A3.1Earthshine217App. A3.2The Scattering of Light217App. A3.3Blackbody Radiation218App. A3.4Effective Temperatures of the Planets219App. A3.5The Greenhouse Effect221App. A4.1The Scale Height of the Atmosphere226App. A4.2The Adiabatic Lapse Rate228App. A5.1Measuring Moisture in the Atmosphere231App. A5.2Earth's Energy Budget232App. A5.3How Many of Your Molecules Have Been to the Moon?233App. A6.1Conservation of Angular Momentum234App. A6.2The Coriolis Force235App. A6.3Shape of Earth237App. A6.4Gradient Winds237App. A7.1Predicting the Weather240App. A8.1The Seasonal Thermocline242App. A8.2The Perpetual Salt Fountain242App. 9El Nino, La Nina, and the Southern Oscillation244App. A10.1Weathering246App. A10.2Properties of the Planets247App. 11Earth's Sensitivity to Perturbations248App. 12The Ozone Layer249App. 13Global Warming250Glossary251References257Index259
