The Climate Book

The book focuses heavily on the science of climate change, covering both the causes of and solutions for climate change. The process of climate change is primarily addressed in the earlier chapters, and the discussion centers on the carbon and water cycles, which are two of the main drivers of the climate. The carbon cycle impacts how much heat is retained by the atmosphere—higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevents heat from radiating into space, thus raising the temperature of the planet. Most of the heat and a significant amount of the carbon dioxide are absorbed by the ocean. This raises the acidity of the ocean, as CO₂ is acidic, and raises the temperature. Warmer land, air, and water temperatures lead to increased rates of evaporation, which leads to the development of more clouds. Temperature variations also cause changes to atmospheric jet streams and ocean currents, which alters the distribution of weather events. Thus, some areas experience unseasonable drought, while others experience flooding or severe storms. Rising temperatures lead to melting ice and subsequent rising sea levels.

The book’s contributors also emphasize tipping points, feedback loops, and their uncertainty regarding The Science of Climate Change.