Cambridge University Press, 6/11/1992EAN 9780521421096, ISBN10: 0521421098Paperback, 396 pages, 29.9 x 21.2 x 2 cmLanguage: EnglishConfronting Climate Change is a guide to the risks, dilemmas, and opportunities of the emerging political era, in which the impacts of a global warming could affect all regional, public and even individual decisions. Written by a renowned group of scientists, political analysts and economists, all with direct experience in climate change related deliberations, Confronting Climate Change is a survey of the best available answers to three vital questions: What do we know so far about the foreseeable dangers of climate change? How reliable is our knowledge? What are the most rewarding ways to respond? The book begins by exploring the key linkages and feedbacks that connect the risks of rapid climate change to other important environmental, economic and political problems of our time. Recognizing persistent uncertainties in the scientific understanding of climate change, the book draws attention to those areas of research which may reveal surprises which could change the sense of political urgency surrounding the climate problem - as did the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole. It explores the geological record of climate change over the Earth's history, seeking a better understanding of how the climate has changed rapidly in countries while minimizing the long-term environmental damages which otherwise will result from continuing the current patterns of energy supply and use. The book is written to cross discipline boundaries, so that policy makers, economists, scientists, risk assessors, environmentalists and development advocates may understand each other's concerns. It shows how the international debate on managing the risks of rapid climate change may be re-shaped for the benfit of people in every nation on the planet.1. Living in a warming worldPart I. The Science of Climate Change2. Linkages between global warming, ozone depletion, acid deposition, and other aspects of global environmental change3. Climate sensitivity, climate feedbacks and policy implications4. Lessons from the ice coresrapid climate changes during the last 160,000 years5. Changes in climates of the pastlessons for the future6. Indices and indicators of climate changeissues of detection, validation and climate sensitivityPart II. Impacts of Climate Change7. Future sea level riseenvironmental and socio-political considerations8. Effects of climate change on food production9. Effects of climate change on shared fresh water resources10. Effects of climate change on weather-related disasters11. The effect of changing climate on populationPart III. Energy Use and Technology12. The energy predicament in perspective13. Electricitytechnological opportunities and management challenges to achieving a low-emissions future14. Transportation in developing nationsmanaging the institutional and technological transition to a low-emissions futurePart IV. Economics and the Role of Institutions15. The economics of near-term reductions in greenhouse gases16. 'Wait and see' versus 'No regrets'comparing the costs of economic strategies17. International organizations in a warming worldbuilding a global climate regime18. Modifying the mandate of existing institutionsNGOs19. Modifying the mandate of existing institutionscorporations20. International trade, technology transfer, and climate changePart V. Equity Considerations and Future Negotiations21. Sharing the burden22. Climate negotiationsthe North South perspective23. Shaping institutions to build a new partnershiplessons from the past and a vision for the future.
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