Four Degrees of Global Warming

Peter Christoff is a political scientist and Associate Professor who teaches Climate Change Politics and Policy and Environmental Policy at the University of Melbourne. From 2005 to 2013 he was also the Vice President of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australia’s largest national environmental NGO.

This is an important book that addresses the defining question of the 21st century: Can we really afford to let the world slip down the warming slope – towards the 4 degrees mark or even beyond? The authors provide compelling evidence from the Australian perspective that the answer reads "no". Peter Christoff should be praised for initiating and editing this colossal intellectual effort.–Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Postdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany'Four Degrees' reveals what might become of Australians and their country if global average temperatures are allowed to increase by 4 degrees above that of 200 years ago. It paints a 'bleak vision of a continent under assault.' And that will be out future if we do nothing - just keep going along as we are today. Thankfully the book is also full of clear and realistic solutions, which makes it a must-read for all caring Australians.–Tim Flannery, Chief Commissioner, Climate Commission, AustraliaThis important book, though ostensibly about climate change, raises profound and personal questions about the type of world we wish to bequeath our children. Setting out stark and scientifically informed choices, the authors provide a cogent framing of the challenging issues facing Australian policy makers, businesses and civil society. –Kevin Anderson, University of Manchester, UKDespite a generation of talks, the international community has failed to stem the global increase in greenhouse gas pollution that is causing climate change. Consequently, the earth is set to get hotter, and Australia is in the eye of the storm. In this important new book, Peter Christoff brings together the insights of distinguished scholars, scientists and analysts. They explore the ecological, social and economic impacts for Australia of a much warmer world, in the process providing a valuable guide to the future. –Paul G. Harris, Hong Kong Institute of EducationThis edited volume, with contributions by a large group of Australian physical and social scientists, provides a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of future anthropogenic climate change on the Australian continent. The highly referenced scholarly book is divided into four sections. – D. Goldblum, Choice Magazine, Northern Illinois University, USAThis text is at once excellent, important and terrifying. The collection of leading scholars on such varied topics puts the text in the best tradition of inter-disciplinary research. The chapters together provide a detailed account of the uncomfortable realities we face in a "four-degree world": a temperature change increasingly feasible given continued emissions growth and the pace of international cooperation. – Matt McDonald, University of Queensland, Australian Journal of Politics and HistoryThe book’s great strength for use in geographical education is that it brings together papers from elite Australian climate change researchers, each presenting a summary review of issues within their respective fields. The well-structured chapters are generally highly readable and relevant to Australian students.– Geographical Education, Dr Douglas K Bardsley, The University of Adelaide, South Australia

• 1. Introduction Part 1: Climate Science and Four Degrees 2. Australia's Climate at Four Degrees 3. Extreme Events Part 2: Ecological Impacts 4. Terrestrial Species and Ecosystems 5. Marine Species and Ecosystems 6. Agricultural Systems 7. Compounding Problems Part 3: Social and Economic Impacts 8. Compounding Social and Economic Impacts 9. Human Health 10. Cities 11. Regional Security Part 4: Adaptation 12. Regional Adaptation Challenges 13. Adaptation - Can We? 14. Conclusion