Changing climates, earth systems and society /

This title promises a lot, but can a relatively brief volume deliver such an ambitious agenda? Editor Dodson (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) and 37 authors from 13 countries do a good job covering the issues. Although the US is apparently in denial, chapter contributors present convincing evidence that potential radical change is coming if nothing stops the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The book covers past and future changes in terrestrial ecosystems, peatlands, polar ice, and lake and river water resources. It explores the human impacts of the above, as well as desertification, expansion of infectious disease burden, and possible adverse effects on food resources under pressure of changing climate. A short chapter on the many possible mitigation strategies concludes what is an interesting, informative contribution to the climate change literature. The material is written clearly enough for most people to comprehend, and the scientific papers and the extensive references should satisfy those with technical backgrounds. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above. M. K. Cleaveland University of Arkansas at Fayetteville