Log in

The Global Warming Reader: A Century of Writing About Climate Change

The Global Warming Reader: A Century of Writing About Climate Change

Our most widely respected environmental writer brings together the essential voices on global warming, from its 19th-century discovery to the present

With the rise of extreme weather events worldwide–witness the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Sandy, Irene, and Katrina, and the sustained drought across the American West–global warming has become increasingly difficult to deny.

What is happening to our planet? And what can we do about it? The Global Warming Reader provides more than thirty-five answers to these burning questions, from more than one hundred years of engagement with the topic. Here is Elizabeth Kolbert’s groundbreaking essay “The Darkening Sea,” Michael Crichton’s skeptical view of climate change, George Monbiot’s biting indictment of those who are really using up the planet’s resources, NASA scientist James Hansen’s testimony before the U.S. Congress, and clarion calls for action by Al Gore, Arundhati Roy, Naomi Klein, and many others. The Global Warming Reader is a comprehensive resource, expertly edited by someone who lives and breathes this defining issue of our time.

List Price: $ 18.00

Price: $ 3.98

Customer Reviews

29 of 36 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars
It needs to be read!!, September 18, 2011 By  EdwardSee all my reviews
In GWR, Bill Mckibben (editorially) lays it out for anyone to see and understand. There is no controversy anymore. That was yesterday. We have changed our climate and the time for action is unfortunately now. If you don’t believe that, then you must be living in a dark cave. If you (or we) don’t care, then perhaps that’s another problem. Read the book. It’s made up of a variety voices on the subject dating back to the very concept of man-made climate change. If you can get by the first few, very detailed, scientific explanations of atmospheric CO2 and temperature correlation dating back to the late 19th century, the remaining texts and reports are more then entertaining. They are disturbing. Hopefully, disturbing enough to wake you up from your indifference, or disbelief, and prompt you to help with a incredibly challenging paradigm shift in how we conduct ourselves on this planet. Waiting another 10 or 20 years is not an option, unless, of course, we just don’t care what we leave behind for our kids. The point of no return is about now.

 
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful 5.0 out of 5 stars
classic collection, important and engaging, February 12, 2014 By  FarmerZitaSee all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
Starts with early scientific recognition that fossil fuel emissions were warming northern Europe over a century ago (and wouldn’t that be great, as it was too darn cold, and the growing season too short). McKibben collects key articles through the decades, predicting global warming, documenting (or denying) growing evidence, and vividly recounting impacts of ocean acidification, extreme weather, and other climate changes. A middle section is devoted to efforts to counter anthropogenic damage, from bottom-up individual and community work, to top-down efforts (Rio, Kyoto, Copenhagen…). We hear from young and old, US and international, across cultural and political spectra. This collection shares facts and fiction, fears and frustration, images and hope.

Climate and climate science are changing so rapidly that anything in this genre is rapidly rather outdated. Update this reading with the new 2013 IPCC AR5 report – at least the Summary for Policymakers, or the Abstracts by Fire & Water at Evergreen. James Hansen, Elizabeth Kolbert, and other authors in McKibben’s collection continue to publish new insights.

 

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful 4.0 out of 5 stars
A good summary, April 14, 2013 By  W. Hunter (Bellingham, WA USA) – See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

Includes a reasonably good summary of the issues. A good quick reference. Not much regarding possible paths forward which would give the reader a place to start their own effort.

 
Last modified on Thursday, 22 September 2016 15:16

Comments (0)

There are no comments posted here yet

Leave your comments

Posting comment as a guest. Sign up or login to your account.
Attachments (0 / 3)
Share Your Location