Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity |  | Author: James Hansen
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
Buy New: $12.50
as of 3/9/2010 16:16 CST details
You Save: $12.50 (50%)
New (30) Used (9) from $12.50
Seller: strandbookstore
Rating:  37 reviews
Media: Hardcover
Edition: First Edition
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 1608192008
Dewey Decimal Number: 363.73874
EAN: 9781608192007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9781608192007 | | • | Condition: NEW | | • | Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. |
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
An urgent and provocative call to action from the world’s leading climate scientist—speaking out here for the first time with the full story of what we need to know about humanity’s last chance to get off the path to a catastrophic global meltdown, and why we don’t know the half of it. In Storms of My Grandchildren, Dr. James Hansen—the nation’s leading scientist on climate issues—speaks out for the first time with the full truth about global warming: The planet is hurtling even more rapidly than previously acknowledged to a climatic point of no return. Although the threat of human-caused climate change is now widely recognized, politicians have failed to connect policy with the science, responding instead with ineffectual remedies dictated by special interests. Hansen shows why President Obama’s solution, cap-and-trade, which Al Gore has signed on to, won’t work; why we must phase out all coal, and why 350 ppm of carbon dioxide is a goal we must achieve if our children and grandchildren are to avoid global meltdown and the storms of the book’s title. This urgent manifesto bucks conventional wisdom (including the Kyoto Protocol) and is sure to stir controversy, but Hansen—whose climate predictions have come to pass again and again, beginning in the 1980s when he first warned Congress about global warming—is the single most credible voice on the subject worldwide. Hansen paints a devastating but all-too-realistic picture of what will happen in the near future, mere years and decades from now, if we follow the course we’re on. But he is also an optimist, showing that there is still time to do what we need to save the planet. Urgent, strong action is needed, and this book, released to coincide with the Copenhagen Conference in December 2009, will be key in setting the agenda going forward to create a groundswell, a tipping point, to save humanity—and our grandchildren—from a dire fate more imminent than we had supposed. Learn more at www.stormsofmygrandchildren.com
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 37
 Surprising Independent Thinking December 8, 2009
Steven Stoft
123 out of 132 found this review helpful
James Hansen, the world's most famous climate scientist, is thought by climate contrarians to be part of a liberal conspiracy. But as you'll see below (Chp. 9), he's as independent as he claims -- critical of Republicans for suppressing climate change science, but critical of Democrats for blocking the most important part of the solution. Surprises await readers of any persuasion. The book contains a mix of equal parts politics and science, so a guide to the chapters may be helpful. (For why this book is best on climate science, see my wonkish "comment" below.)
Chp. 1: Dick Cheney's climate task force. The frustrations of politics with a little science tossed in.
Chp. 2: The A-team. Hansen retreats and thinks through climate policy with his students.
Chp. 3: Visit to the White House. He's hopeful, then disappointed. This chapter launches into serious Paleoclimate science and explains the mystery of why the world starts to warm from an ice age before carbon dioxide increases. Fascinating if you like science. Otherwise, skim for interesting tidbits -- ice that would crush "New York City to smithereens," the development of civilization, coastal fishing, and more.
The first big surprise: "It may seem that I am harsh on climate models." He doesn't think they're good at estimating "climate sensitivity." In fact, he says, "Thirty years later [after the National Academy's 1979 estimate], models alone still cannot do much better."
Chp. 4: Back to 1989. Hansen asks for satellite instruments to collect crucial global warming data. No luck.
Chp. 5: A Slippery Slope. In 2003 Hansen writes an article with "extensive criticisms of IPCC" (UN climate science). He is not pleased that the best IPCC model "concluded that the ice sheets would grow as the world became warmer."
Chp. 6: Humanity's Trap. Aerosols are now counteracting carbon but we don't know much about them. A nice graph of solar output and the beginning of the White-House censorship story.
Chp. 7: The Keeling Curve. "Reality contrasts markedly with the impression created by the media." Carbon dioxide is not growing faster than expected by the IPCC scenarios. More on White-House censorship.
Chp. 8: Where Should We Aim? Hansen gets new data and draws "one of the most beautiful curves on the planet," showing how it was far hotter (with no ice) 50 million years ago. From that and more science, he concludes that we must return the atmosphere to 350 ppm.
Chp. 9: An Honest Path. Possibly the book's biggest surprise: "It is extremely irresponsible, in my opinion, to make the assumption that efficiency and renewables are all that will be needed." We will need fast breeder reactors, and fortunately we have "$50 trillion" worth of left-over uranium for fuel.
He blames the Democrats. "Argonne scientists ... were ready to build a demonstration fast-reactor power plant." But in 1994, Bill Clinton announced, "We will terminate unnecessary programs in advanced reactor development." Hansen concludes, "It seems possible that antinuke people, who heavily support the Democratic Party, were being repaid."
He explains his economic proposals for "a rising price on carbon applied at the source" in the form of "fee-and-dividend." "A cap-and-trade agreement will be just as hard to achieve as was the Kyoto Protocol."
Chp. 10: Venus. "If we also burn the tar sands and tar shale, I believe the Venus syndrome is a dead certainty."
Chp. 11: Storms of My Grandchildren. Recent anti-coal protest activity, and some science of storms.
In this age of political correctness, right and left, it's a delight to be invited into Hansen's home-spun, un-censored, scientific world. If you appreciate the fresh air, two very different books may be of interest. Carbonomics: How to Fix the Climate and Charge It to OPEC explains why Hansen's refunded carbon tax is a good idea that works, and predicted Copenhagen's failure over a year in advance: "developing countries will not accept internationally set caps." It then explains what to do about it. Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air is a fabulous, authoritative book on alternative energy, and provides the back story on the need for carbon capture or nuclear power. Together, the three books cover most of climate-policy related science with almost no overlap.
In summary, this is no journalistic quick read. It's fascinating, not because it's slickly written -- it's certainly not -- but because both James Hansen and his science are fascinating and you get a front row seat as the story unfolds.
Important Message, Uneven Delivery . January 6, 2010
Michael Faulkner (Kennett Square, PA, USA)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
This is not a "wow, I never knew that" kind of book, as one reviewer seems to have hoped: climate change is now too mature a topic for that. Thus, although aided perhaps by some sad 'wows' provided by the dismal procession of data that continue to underline and confirm what is now abundantly clear, it is simply a comprehensive statement by one of the planet's foremost authorities on the subject of his understanding of where we are, how we got here and where we might be going. Anyone seriously interested in climate change should read this book as soon as possible.
It is a great pity, therefore, that Dr Hansen could not have had his work either edited more tightly or more critically reviewed by colleagues to create and maintain a consistent train of scientific logic. Given his own concerns and the urgency of delivering its message, this is perhaps understandable, but it makes it an unnecessarily difficult read. Nevertheless, to read the raw Hansen is undeniably wrenching and it is hard not to be moved by his fears for the future, especially as the whole issue has now become so politicised in the United States.
A new edition, with tighter editing or refereeing, crisper illustrations and including data available at that future date would be well worth producing. Every few years.
In case 'getting the politicians to agree' is thought to be the only difficulty ahead of us, it might be noted that a recent report issued by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in Britain makes it clear that, if such agreement is ever achieved, even the logistics of attacking climate change will not then be straightforward either. Hansen's message of urgency has never been more timely.
Highly informative, yet passionate discussion of global warming February 5, 2010
Wendy Koran
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
It has been unusual in our time to find scientists who are amazingly knowledgeable while, at the same time, approach their fields of study with profound integrity and intense passion. And, it is, most of all, extremely rare to find those who have an enormous and unwavering concern for the implications of their research. These traits are all especially strong in Dr. James Hansen and displayed with almost heart-rending clarity in his book, Storms of My Grandchildren. I can not recommend this book highly enough. Whether or not most of us will ever realize it, I believe we are profoundly indebted to this modest man of humble origins. Let us hope that our society doesn't continue to ignore his plea for immediate and strong action to prevent the catastrophic devastation that global warming, if left unchecked, is likely to produce.
An informative and important book December 11, 2009
D. Miller
26 out of 35 found this review helpful
Jim Hansen lays out what will happen if we don't take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gases. He bases this not on future models but on analysis of past climates. I'm at the COP15 conference right now and I have to say that most people here don't understand the clear message that Jim Hansen is sending. You owe it to your children to read this book.
You need to read this book NOW January 11, 2010
Christian F. Hansen
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Then you'll probably want to read it again, and then you'll go back for samples, like the excellent graphs, for future reference.
Although the Copenhagen travesty is past, Congress is working on a "cap-and-trade" scheme, and Dr. Hansen (no relation) has some very choice words about that scam.
There are really two books here. One is the scientific story, which is entertaining and accessible to lay readers, although consistently alarmist. The other is the political story, a sort of "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" - and it is quite illuminating of not only the cruelty of politics but also the sincere naivety of Dr. Hansen. Kinda reminds one of a kitten run over by a lawn mower.
Hansen's science is more informed by paleoclimate than by climate models. That's fair since we have increasingly good paleo data to calibrate against, while the theoretical models can veer off into who-knows land. He is also upset that we do not have good aerosol data, which is an important correcting factor. I don't know why he says it is impractical to measure Earth's energy budget from outside; we have excellent solar data since the 1970s. We should all be able to agree on the necessity for accurate data, even if expensive.
Skeptics correctly seize on the large uncertainties inherent in this game. Hansen is perfectly aware of this, yet prefers to err on the "dangerous" side. From my perspective, this debate is like arguing about whether you are going to Hell in a hand basket or in a race car. The destination is not in doubt.
Why is Hansen so worried? Because the data (especially paleoclimate) suggest that Earth climate is dynamically unstable; i.e. once it gets going, it's going to accelerate. Now we're on the "Venus Express" as he says. Certainly, ice cap and methane hydride dynamics support this idea.
We have been lulled by the enormous inertia of global systems, recently aided by an unusual solar minimum. But the supertanker has started moving, and your Prius won't hold it back. He is probably right that the ice is doomed and we will have 200 feet of extra water in a few centuries.
Hansen's political theory is persuasive as far as it goes. He realizes that Washington is a cesspool of special interests looting the country. He minces no words about lying governments and stealing politicians. He is an independent who knows the two parties are like the Bloods and the Cripps. But he still has that touching belief that if we just all get together and make our case with fervor, truth will prevail and government will serve the people and save the planet.
In the last parts of the book, we do start wondering if Dr. Quixote is coming unhinged. He abandons all pretense of scientific detachment and becomes truly emotional, even advocating civil disobedience and managing to get arrested himself. Strip mining is "blasphemous" - coal trains are "death trains." Perhaps his cancer and the sight of his young grandchildren are the motivation behind this explosion of emotion. For the rest of us, the question is whether that helps or hurts his cause.
This puts the famous flap with the Bush administration into sharper focus. While Hansen (with the media) saw himself as the victim, he is not blameless. He says as a civil servant he serves the tax payer, not the president. He's wrong. He serves the president, who serves the tax payer (in theory). Whatever you think of the anti-science Bush agenda, the boss does have the right to rein in his people, and to fire generals who think they can pick their own wars.
Hansen's prescription is straightforward: Absolutely end fossil fuel use, preferably by phasing in a steep carbon penalty. Build nuclear power plants (fast breeder reactors, modular, worldwide). Use conservation, efficiency, and "renewables" as much as possible. End the insane overconsumption of today. People with brains have known all this for a long time, but also that it ain't gonna happen.
I have a few questions for Dr. Hansen. What makes you think governments are capable of sound long-term policy? Politicians have an event horizon of the next election (or the next coup). The species that cares about future generations has not yet crawled out of the slime. Would you not be better off starting a NGO or think tank and working with, say the dot-com billionaires, who are among the few with the luxury to address long-term issues? Then you'd be a special interest, ready to swim with the sharks.
Even if you think it is possible to reason with humans, there's an even more troubling question. What if, by some miracle, we did what Hansen and other crusaders suggest? Suppose we did reduce CO2 to 350 by 2050. Wouldn't that mean we've got ten billion people on a planet designed for ten million (a stretch) and they thought they'd gotten away with it? Unless humans are dramatically reduced - and all other species would prefer their total removal - Earth is doomed one way or another. Hansen skirts this one, but he's clearly aware of it. As for me, I think this book is the strongest unwitting argument yet - for the terraforming of Mars.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 37
|
|
|
|
