Thomas E. Downing & Kirstin Dow 
The Atlas of Climate Change [EPUB ebook] 
Mapping the World’s Greatest Challenge

This highly acclaimed atlas distills the vast science of climate change, providing a reliable and insightful guide to this rapidly growing field. Since the 2006 publication of the first edition, climate change has climbed even higher up the global agenda. This new edition reflects the latest developments in research and the impact of climate change, and in current efforts to mitigate and adapt to changes in the world’s weather.


The atlas covers a wide range of topics, including warning signs, vulnerable populations, health impacts, renewable energy, emissions reduction, personal and public action. The third edition includes new or additional coverage of a number of topics, including agreements reached in Copenhagen and Cancun, ocean warming and increased acidity, the economic impact of climate change, and advantages gained by communities and business from adapting to climate change. The extensive maps and graphics have been updated with new data, making this edition once again an essential resource for everyone concerned with this pressing subject.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Voices & Visions of Our Future

Wangari Maathai

Philippe Cousteau

About the Authors

Introduction

Definition of Key Terms


PART 1 SIGNS OF CHANGE


1 Warning Signs

The array of extreme events in 2010 stand out among thousands

of signs of climate change.

2 Polar Changes

Warming in the polar regions is driving large-scale melting of ice

that will have both local and global consequences.

3 Shrinking Glaciers

Glaciers are losing mass and are in retreat.

4 Ocean Changes

Oceans are getting warmer and more acidic, affecting marine life.

5 Everyday Extremes

The frequency of some extreme events is increasing.


PART 2 The Changing Climate


6 The Greenhouse Effect

The intensification of the greenhouse effect is driving changes in

the Earth’s climate.

7 The Climate System

The entire climate system is adjusting to an increase in the heat

trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere.

8 Interpreting Past Climates

Concentrations of CO2 and CH4 are higher than at any time in

the last 650, 000 years.

9 Forecasting Future Climates

Global temperatures are predicted to continue rising.

10 Climate & Social Crises

Climate change results from complex interactions in the natural

environment, coupled with social and economic changes.


PART 3 DRIVING CLIMATE CHANGE


11 Emissions Past & Present

Most greenhouse gases have been, and are, emitted to meet the

needs of modern industrial societies.

12 Fossil Fuels

The emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels

is the major cause of climate change.

13 Methane & Other Gases

A range of greenhouse gases contribute to climate change.

14 Transport

International trade and travel, and dependence on motor vehicles

make transport a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

15 Agriculture

Agriculture is a major source of emissions, and vital for economic

welfare in many countries.

16 The Carbon Balance

Changes in stored carbon are contributing to climate change.


PART 4 EXPECTED CONSEQUENCES


17 Disrupted Ecosystems

Many species and ecosystems may not be able to adapt to new

climatic conditions and stresses.

18 Water Security

Water scarcity has already become a major stress in some regions.

Climate change may raise the stress level.

19 Food Security

Climate change threatens future agricultural development in some

regions, and is benefiting others.

20 Threats to Health

The recent increase in the number of victims, and the economic

costs of weather-related health effects may be a sign of the future.

21 Rising Sea Levels

Thermal expansion of oceans and melting ice will lead to a

substantial rise in sea level, threatening many coastal communities.

22 Cities at Risk

The combined impact of changes in the climate is falling

particularly hard on rapidly growing cities.

23 Cultural Losses

Climate change is threatening sites that represent the world’s

cultural and historical heritage.


PART 5 RESPONDING TO CHANGE


24 Urgent Action to Adapt

As climate change becomes more marked, the need for adaptation

will be ever greater, and more difficult.

25 Building Capacity to Adapt

There is a need to develop effective strategies and actions, and to

support efforts being made at all levels.

26 City Responses

Cities around the world are taking action to reduce their emissions.

27 Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources could be the key to economically and

socially sustainable societies.

28 Low Carbon Futures

Economic growth needs to be achieved with lower greenhouse gas

emissions, especially in developing countries.

29 Counting Carbon

Accurate accounting of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions is

essential.


PART 6 INTERNATIONAL POLICY & ACTION


30 International Action

Most countries have acknowledged the problem of climate change

by signing the Convention on Climate Change.

31 Meeting Kyoto Targets

Not quite half of Annex I countries are close to meeting their Kyoto

commitments. And the agreed targets fall short of what is needed.

32 Looking Beyond Kyoto

Negotiations are continuing in the search for a suitable

international response in a post-Kyoto world.

33 Trading Carbon Credits

Trading carbon credits encourages investment and shares the

burden of reducing emissions.

34 Financing the Response

Finance for responding to climate change has improved

dramatically but is still far from what is required.


PART 7 COMMITTING TO SOLUTIONS


35 Personal Action

People all over the world are taking measures to reduce the

greenhouse gases emitted as a result of the way they live.

36 Public Action

The policies, practices, and investments of governments,

businesses, and civic organizations will have the greatest impact

on our future.


PART 8 CLIMATE CHANGE DATA


Table

Sources & Notes

Photo Credits

Index

Über den Autor

Kirstin Dow is Associate Professor of Geography at the University of South Carolina. She is a lead author in the IPCC Fifth Assessment, Working Group 2 effort on Adaptation Opportunities, Constraints, and Limitations and a contributing author to the chapter on coasts. She is also Principal Investigator of the Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments, an interdisciplinary research effort to bridge climate science and decision-making. She serves as a science advisor on climate change mitigation and adaptation for community and national efforts. Thomas E. Downing is President of the Global Climate Adaptation Partnership and Visiting Professor at Oxford University. He was formerly Executive Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute, Oxford Office and is a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and advisor to national and international programs on climate change.