Michael C. MacCracken – författare

'An impressive accomplishment. Al Gore, Former Vice President of the US, co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, and author of An Inconvenient TruthOffers positive solutions that no rational person, organization or government can ignore - except at their peril. Stephen H. Schneider, Professor for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies, Stanford University, and author of The Genesis Strategy: Climate and Global SurvivalThe science is clear and the message of this book is that there is no more time for delay. Rosina M. Bierbaum, Dean, University of MichiganWhile changes in emissions and atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases are projected to be slow and smooth, the intensity and impacts of climate change on the environment and society could be abrupt and erratic. Surprising and nonlinear responses are likely to occur as warming exceeds certain thresholds, inducing relatively rapid and disruptive changes in the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, precipitation intensity and patterns, coastal inundation, the occurrence of wildfire, the ranges of plant and animal species and more.Written by a transdisciplinary group of internationally respected researchers, this book explores the possibilities of such changes, their significance for society and efforts to move more rapidly to limit climate change than current government measures.

Volume One of this Encyclopedia deals with the physical and chemical dimensions of the Earth system, including for example the atmosphere, the oceans, the cryosphere, and those aspects of the land surface particularly relevant to interactions with other components of the Earth system.It focuses on the most dynamic aspects of the system, on the factors and processes that produce change, and on the programs and individual scientists most concerned with measuring and understanding change.The volume begins with a group of extended review essays, followed by shorter articles on various aspects of the history, current state, and possible future states of the Earth system, including the interactions among the components of this system.Expert contributions feature on: Historical trends in various environmental indicators, both in the past century and extending back through geological timeWhat we have learned, and the tools used to gain knowledge about the functioning of this complex system, from field programs to model simulationsEffects of human intervention on climate change and stratospheric ozone depletionDetails of organized international observing, data management, and research programs in the Earth sciencesBrief biographies of a selection of leading scientistsThis volume represents a uniquely valuable source of focused, timely, and authoritative information relating to the issues of global environmental change. It has been constructed broad enough in scope to illuminate every corner of the relevant geophysical sciences, while remaining concise and readily usable by the non-specialist.

THE DEFINITIVE RESOURCE The Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change is the first major reference work in this multi-disciplinary field, and presents...* Outstanding authorship and high quality editing* Comprehensive coverage with over 3,800 pages in 5 volumes* Over 500 articles, 100 biographies, 150 definitions and 100 acronyms* Extensive bibliographies with up-to-date referencesABOUT THE ENCYCLOPEDIA The Wiley Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change has been published to meet the need for a comprehensive integrated reference in this burgeoning field. It consists of five volumes of inter-related material: Volume 1: The Earth System: Physical and Chemical Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Volume 2: The Earth System: Biological and Ecological Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Volume 3: Causes and Consequences of Global Environmental Change Volume 4: Responding to Global Environmental Change Volume 5: Social and Economic Dimensions of Global Environmental Change* Each volume contains articles of between 1,000 and 10,000 words on major topics* Articles contain an abstract written for the non-specialist, followed by the main text which provides greater detail for the specialist* Biographies of distinguished environmental scientists discuss their contributions to a better understanding of global environmental change* Definitions of international terms and descriptions of acronyms of international and regional programs and agencies provide a quick reference source for the environmental scientist and student* Presents a thematic approach and includes theory, empirical studies and applications emphasising the inter-relationship between various disciplines and systems