Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Warming (Rapid Reads)

Koleksi American Corner said: Judul: Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Despite being billed as a "rapid read", the reading level is fairly high ( A succinct and easily understandable read on the science of climate change and.
Table of contents

These sorts of inter-linkages not only pose difficult challenges, but also offer important opportunities for alleviating multiple problems simultaneously. For instance, integrated management plans for protection of coastal zones can help alleviate many of the climate-related and non-climate-related concerns listed above. Actions taken to reduce fossil fuel use can offer substantial benefits for human health by reducing emissions of conventional air pollutants and for national security by reducing dependence on imported energy sources.

The costs and benefits of different courses of action are generally not well known. Decision making often involves weighing the possible benefits and costs of one course of action against another. Decisions on actions to limit or adapt to climate. Many factors complicate and impede public understanding of climate change. Fully understanding climate change is a difficult task even for scientific experts using voluminous data and complex mathematical models.

People who have less experience with quantitative data and less time to develop such detailed understanding must rely on other sources that may or may not provide trustworthy information. But this can be misleading in the context of climate change because long-term change is difficult to detect against natural variability without sustained systematic measurement, and because judgments of varying phenomena are strongly influenced by memorable and recent extreme events.

For instance, many people appear to conflate GHGs with other forms of air pollution, such as particulates of sulfur or nitrogen oxides that unlike long-lived GHGs dissipate quickly when emissions are reduced.

Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Warming by Andrew Weaver

Most people rely on secondary sources for information, especially the mass media; and some of these sources are affected by concerted campaigns against policies to limit CO 2 emissions, which promote beliefs about climate change that are not well-supported by scientific evidence. There will inevitably be additional risks and surprises.

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The climate system and human institutions that are affected by climate are exceedingly complex; consequently, it is impossible to anticipate all changes that may occur. Among the potential surprises that could be in store is that climate change turns out to be more manageable than. For instance, if climate sensitivity is on the low end of current estimates, then the resulting impacts might feasibly be adapted to without major costs or disruptions.

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It is also quite possible, however, that climate change could be much more severe, or have much more severe impacts, than the average. For example, a climate change-induced crop failure or severe drought could precipitate a geopolitical crisis. It is worth noting, however, that the potential impacts associated with larger magnitudes of climate change are less well studied than more moderate climate change; and thus the potential for surprises is comparatively greater with larger magnitudes of warming.

Rather, these are inherent features of climate change that must be recognized and understood in order to craft sound response strategies. The issues highlighted in this chapter point to the idea that conventional analysis tools that have historically been used for guiding responses to major environmental problems are not well suited for addressing the complexities of climate change. In the following chapter, we discuss the type of framework that is best suited for this context.

Climate change is occurring. It is very likely caused by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems. And these emissions continue to increase, which will result in further change and greater risks. America's Climate Choices makes the case that the environmental, economic, and humanitarian risks posed by climate change indicate a pressing need for substantial action now to limit the magnitude of climate change and to prepare for adapting to its impacts.

Although there is some uncertainty about future risk, acting now will reduce the risks posed by climate change and the pressure to make larger, more rapid, and potentially more expensive reductions later. Most actions taken to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts are common sense investments that will offer protection against natural climate variations and extreme events. In addition, crucial investment decisions made now about equipment and infrastructure can "lock in" commitments to greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come.

Finally, while it may be possible to scale back or reverse many responses to climate change, it is difficult or impossible to "undo" climate change, once manifested. Current efforts of local, state, and private-sector actors are important, but not likely to yield progress comparable to what could be achieved with the addition of strong federal policies that establish coherent national goals and incentives, and that promote strong U. The inherent complexities and uncertainties of climate change are best met by applying an iterative risk management framework and making efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions; prepare for adapting to impacts; invest in scientific research, technology development, and information systems; and facilitate engagement between scientific and technical experts and the many types of stakeholders making America's climate choices.

Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website. Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

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To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter. Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available. Do you enjoy reading reports from the Academies online for free? Sign up for email notifications and we'll let you know about new publications in your areas of interest when they're released. America's Climate Choices Chapter: Industrialization has accelerated human-produced greenhouse gases, not only due to fossil combustion, but also due to such industrial processes as the production of concrete and natural gas, the agricultural use of chemicals, and, of course, transportation.

As for bizarre changes in weather patterns, Weaver explains how scientists use climate models to detect and attribute the evidence that "things are heating up" 37 , resulting in rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and threats to ecosystems. Weaver counters business and economic arguments against efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with questions about the morality of saddling future generations with having to cope with the problem and to "pay" for current inaction.

However, Weaver believes that it's not all hopeless. The third and final section of the book, "What can I do about it? And, difficult as behavioral change can be for humans, changes are possible. In short, all of us must move from being "Generation Me" to "Generation Us," acting locally but thinking globally. The text is presented in a larger-sized font, enhancing its readability, but it's not an easy read. The book does not "sound" like the presentation of an academic paper, but Weaver's arguments are presented with, and supported by, scientific information, and both the tone and vocabulary of the book assume a fairly informed reader.

A Glossary at the end of the book defines words and terms which are bold-faced throughout the textual content. Less helpful are charts and graphs used to offer statistical and graphical support.

Namun, pula, permasalahan Judul: Namun, pula, permasalahan iklim sebetulnya adalah masalah kita bersama dan setiap orang di dunia sudah selayaknya memiliki pemahaman terhadap kasus ini. Dalam buku ini, ditampilkan metode ilmiah yang digunakan oleh Weaver, dimulai dengan hipotesis prediksi penyebab terjadinya pemanasan global, pengumpulan data untuk meneliti mengenai pemanasan global, dan data-data yang mendukung. Analogi-analogi dan konsep geotermal pun ia paparkan. Pembaca yang berniat membaca pendalaman kasus ini mungkin akan kecewa dengan buku ini karena ia hanya menghadirkan topik sebatas di permukaan.

Namun begitu, penggunaan bahasanya yang cukup renyah akan mempermudah pemahaman pembaca mengenai topik global warming ini. What is the Problem? Why Should I Care? What Can I Do about It? Raven Books Tahun terbit: Oct 19, Kris rated it it was ok Shelves: The book is divided into three sections: The discussion of these topics is fairly comprehensive, although dry. The reader will end up with a basic understanding of global climate change and its repercussions, as well as possible options for slowing down the inevitable changes.

Best suited for high school students.

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Despite being billed as a "rapid read", the reading level is fairly high 8. The format is rather The book is divided into three sections: The format is rather uninteresting, text broken only occasionally by graphs, which are less self-explanatory than they could be, and one cartoon. Short glossary of terms highlighted in bold in the text , no index, no table of contents, no source notes or bibliography.

I don't think that students would read this book unless it were assigned. Despite its short length and my personal curiosity about the subject, I would not have finished it except that it was assigned to me as a Book Review Center selection. The book is very interesting and easy to understand. The author used many figures, tables and examples that based on scientific observations to explain the consequences of global warming as well as why we should care about it.

The evidence in the book is really convincing. Feb 28, Thomas Arildsen rated it really liked it.

See a Problem?

A quick and easy to read overview of the problem and steps toward a solution. Dec 02, Eric rated it liked it Shelves: This book gives a good overview of the subject but its not really an in depth look. Its good if you only want to learn some of the basics. View all 7 comments. Reem AlBukairi rated it it was ok Jul 01,