Description: Scholars of a number of natural and social sciences, most from the Netherlands but also the US, Britain, and India, contribute to what was originally intended to be a textbook for a Climate and the Environment course. During the development of the text, a decision was made to expand the readership to policy makers and scientists engaged with issues relating to the greenhouse effect. The chapters discuss the nature of global climate change, distinguish what is known from what is unknown or uncertain, and advocate an integrative perspective to analyze and understand the complexity of the climate phenomenon. Among the specific topics are modelling, global biogeochemical cycles, causes of greenhouse gas emissions, impacts of climate change, integrated assessment modelling, the subjective dimension in modelling, global decision making, and scientific advice in the world of power politics.

Please Wait