The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: A Guide to the Debate

The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: A Guide to the Debate

by Andrew E. Dessler (Author), Edward A. Parson (Author)

Synopsis

In this accessible primer, Dessler and Parson combine their expertise in atmospheric science and public policy to help scientists, policy makers, and the public sort through the conflicting claims in the climate-change debate. The authors explain how scientific and policy debates work, summarize present scientific knowledge and uncertainty about climate change, and discuss the available policy options. Along the way, they explain WHY the debate is so confusing. Anyone with an interest in how science is used in policy debates will find this discussion illuminating. The book requires no specialized knowledge, but is accessible to any college-educated general reader who wants to make more sense of the climate change debate. It can also be used as a textbook to explain the details of the climate-change debate, or as a resource for science students or working scientists, to explain how science is used in policy debates.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 200
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 19 Jan 2006

ISBN 10: 0521539412
ISBN 13: 9780521539418
Book Overview: An introduction to the climate-change debate for non-specialists.

Media Reviews
'... there is a real need for a comprehensive book on climate change ... The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change is it. It does exactly what the title and subtitle promise, providing insights into the causes and effects of the contributing meteorological phenomena and into why it has been so hard to get consensus among governments ... copies should be shipped to anyone who doubts the reality of climate change, starting with presidents in denial.' New Scientist
'... requires no specialised knowledge, but is accessible to any educated general reader who wants to make more sense of the climate change debate. It also sheds light on how science is used in policy debates.' The Chemical Engineer
'Each of the key aspects of global climate change is covered, with up-to-date and well-referenced information throughout. Its impressive breadth and the provision of succinct overviews of source material in the further reading sections of each chapter mean that teachers, lecturers and researchers will all find this book a useful starting point for in-depth study. There are now numerous taught masters courses on 'global change issues', and this book constitutes a must-have addition to their reading lists. ... read the book in its entirety - it is well worth it.' The Times Higher Education Supplement
'This is an excellent way into the subject for the beginner ... one of the most lucid and readable introductory accounts of the topic that has been published in some while. As such it should be seen as a 'must-buy' and an essential addition to the library.' TENews
'This is a book which all scientists and the educated general public should read and reflect upon before it is too late to halt the apparently inevitable progress to Armageddon.' Chromatographia
'... a useful compendium of the current debates in the science and politics of climate change ... succinct and consistent book ... it should become a key reading and teaching source in geography and environmental sciences. It can also be valuable to doctoral students and senior researchers interested in learning about climate change science and politics ... a book worth having on one's shelf.' Environmental Sciences
'As more and more extreme weather events around the globe are being associated with climate change, it is sometimes difficult to be able to see the wood for the trees, but this book takes the reader very clearly through the 'maze' of claims and counter-claims. ... if only government leaders would read, digest and follow up some of the suggestions in the last chapter, there would be optimism that the problem can be overcome. As always with Cambridge University Press, the book, which is illustrated with diagrams, charts and boxes, is impeccably produced, and is an absolute 'must' for every reader of this journal.' The International Journal of Meteorology
'Written by an atmospheric scientist and a law professor with extensive public policy experience, the book efffectively tackles the rough-and-tumble intersection of science and policy that has led to confusion and inaction ... The scholarly value of [the book] is indisputable. Dessler and Parson independently possess significant authority on both the science and the politics of climate change. Their treatment of the subject illustrates the complexity of the problem with remarkable ease and clarity ... the carefully thought-through recommendations make this book critical reading for policymakers ... considering action on the issue.' Maria Ivanova, The College of William and Mary
'... coverage and presentation of climate science and policy [is] commendable ... a good candidate for a primer for multidisciplinary classes devoted to climate policy ...' Randall M Wigle, Wilfrid Laurier University
'... both insightful and engaging ... the book is also highly readable and well suited to reach a wide audience. That's good, because the gaps in understanding between scientists, policy makers, journalists, and the public remain a major barrier to the adoption of sensible responses to the problem. Dessler and Parson's book will help because it provides us with a sound and thoughtful guide to the climate change debate.' American Meteorological Society
'The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: A Guide to the debate by Andrew Dessler and Edward Parson is an excellent attempt at deconstructing the confusion that surrounds the climate-change debate. This reviewer has been waiting some time for a book such as this to appear....The Science and politics of climate change are brought together quite seamlessly,...Dessler and Parson's book is a must for those who want to move beyond the rhetoric and understand the relationship between climate science policy, and also for those seeking an interdisciplinary outlook on the management of global environmental issues.' The Times Higher Education Supplement
'This book will be most useful to undergraduates and post-graduates in the fields of environmental science, sustainability and international politics. Each of the key aspects of global climate change is covered, with up-to-date and well referenced information throughout. its impressive breadth and the provision of succinct overviews of source material in the further reading sections of each chapter mean that teachers will all find this book a useful starting point for in-depth study. ... as a primer that brings together global climate- change science and politics it succeeds very well indeed.' The Times Higher Education Supplement
'This important book will be as valuable to informed lay persons, as to policy makers in government, industry and the wider community. While this is a political book, it is also a valid general primer about the science-policy interface. Furthermore, it serves as a model of how to clarify complex problems for lay persons through careful logic, wise choice of supporting literature, consistent definition of technical terms and clear writing.' Ecoscience
'The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change is a fascinating hybrid of science and policy directed at a broad or nonspecialist audience that may not be well versed in the ongoing climate change controversy. ... Overall Dessler and Parson succeed in making both science and policy accessible to a wide readership. As someone working at the interface of science and policy, I could comfortably recommend this book to friends and colleagues. The book - which is well illustrated with easy-to-grasp figures and which has summary tables provided at several key junctures - would also make an excellent resource for a high school or college-level survey course in either environmental studies or public policy.' EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union
Each of the key aspects of global climate change is covered, with up-to-date and well-referenced information throughout. Its impressive breadth and the provision of succinct overviews of source material in the further reading sections of each chapter mean that teachers, lecturers and researchers will all find this book a useful starting oint for in-depth study. David Reay, Edinburgh University
This is a book which all scientists and the educated general public should read and reflect upon before it is too late to halt the apparently inevitable progress to Armageddon. Chromatographia
Ensure[s] fluent reading for non-expert, yet educated, citizens. The book is logically structured and it should become a key reading and teaching source in geography and environmental sciences. It can also be valuable to doctoral students and senior researchers interested in learning about climate change science and politics. Overall it is a book worth having on one's shelf. Environmental Sciences
provides perhaps the most comprehensive and comprehensible analysis of the debates around climate change and is likely to become a foundational text for students, scholars, policymakers, and citizens seeking clarity on this topic. The scholarly value of The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change is indisputable. Dessler and Parson independently possess significant authority on both the science and the politics of climate change. Their treatment of the subject illustrates the complexity of the problem with remarkable ease and clarity. By juxtaposing the scientific and the political processes, they enrich the academic literature which has traditionally separated the two and open up new avenues for exploring policy solutions. Scientists will find value in the discussion of how their work is used by policymakers. Those knowledgeable about the politics of climate change will find value in the discussion of the science. Global Environmental Politics
Excellent overview of an increasingly critical issue. Future Survey
I found the book quite well written, with a good explanation of a suitable range of relevant scientific, political and economic concepts...I believe it is a good candidate for a primer for mulitdisciplinary classes devoted to climate policy... Canadian Public Policy, Randall M. Wigle, Wilfrid Laurier University
It explains scientific and policy debates, discusses areas of knowledge and uncertainty regarding climate change, and offers possible policy options. American Meteorological Society
[Dressler and Parson] open with a powerful organizing principle for the climate and their book: to clearly distinguish between objective understanding (i.e., what we know) and subjective value judgment (i.e. what we believe should be). As a framework for thinking, this holds great promise: it curbs the potential to use ignorance to manipulate the debate, but also acknowledges the limits of scientific understanding. Paul A. T. Higgins, Senior Fellow, AMS Policy Program
...Dessler and Parson succeed in making both science and policy accessible to a wide readership. As someone working at the interface of science and policy, I could comfortably recommend this book to friends and colleagues. The book--which is well illustrated with easy-to-grasp figures, and which has summary tables provided at several key junctures--would also make an excellent resource for a high school or college-level survey course in either environmental studies or public policy. - Wendy S. Gordon, EOS
If you teach an environmental science course and need a short glimpse at the issue of global warming, this book is worth examining. -Ecology
Author Bio
Andrew E. Dessler is a Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1994. He did postdoctoral work at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (1994-1996) and then spent nine years on the faculty of the University of Maryland (1996-2005). In 2000, he worked as a Senior Policy Analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where he collaborated with Ted Parson. Dessler's academic publications include three books: The Chemistry and Physics of Stratospheric Ozone (Academic Press, 2000), The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: A Guide to the Debate (with Ted Parson, Cambridge University Press, 2006, 2010) and Introduction to Modern Climate Change (Cambridge University Press, 2012). He has also published extensively in the scientific literature on stratospheric ozone depletion and the physics of climate.