Climate Change A Reference Handbook

The study of climate change and its impact on our past and present has increased in recent years. Part of ABC-CLIO's Ô Contemporary World IssuesÔ series, this compact volume provides a useful introduction to the history and current scholarship on climate change. Written by Downie (Fairfield Univ.), the editor of other textbooks on the topic who is here joined by Kate Brash (Columbia Univ.) and Catherine Vaughn (International Research Inst. for Climate and Society), the book comprises of eight chapters, chronologies, biographical sketches, and a directory of organizations, among other features. The first three chapters cover the topic in great detail, tackling both controversies and solutions from a worldwide perspective. At first glance, the last four chapters (serving more like appendixes) seem like filler material, but the 25-page chronology (beginning in 1750), 51-page data and documents index, and even the directory of organizations all add currency and value. BOTTOM LINE This unassuming book may deceive the selector into passing on it, but while it remains current, it will be useful to older teens and adults doing introductory research on climate change. Optional for libraries already owning The Reference Shelf: Global Climate Change (Wilson, 2006). - Library Journal "Climate Change is part of the outstanding ABC-CLIO series on 'Contemporary World Issues' and focuses upon all of the various aspects of the environmental causes and effects of our rapidly changing climateÔ ª Climate Change is an ideal academic textbook for environmental studies, as well as being easily accessible for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in this complex and critically important subject." - Midwest Book Review