BOOKS ON GLOBAL WARMING

This page features all the best global warming books and climate change books, including: books on global warming solutions; global warming books for children, teens, college student, and young adults; as well as global warming novels and climate change fiction.

Six Degrees   Our Future on a Hotter Planet   (by Mark Lynas)

Six Degrees aims to distill what environmental scientists portend about the consequences of human pollution for the next hundred years. As one proceeds up the temperature-increase scale; coral reefs and glaciers will be lost; the Amazon rainforest will collapse; Greenland's ice sheet will disappear, raising ocean levels and inundating coastal areas; deserts will descend on southern Africa and the midwestern United States. A 6-degree increase would eliminate most life on Earth, including much of humanity. Six Degrees is an eye-opening warning that humanity will ignore at its peril.

101 Funny Things About Global Warming

The effects of global climate change are surely coming. But what are we supposed to do between now and when lower Manhattan is13-feet below sea level? Well, acclaimed New Yorker cartoonist Sidney Harris and his cartoonist buddies suggest we have a few laughs about global warming and related issues. In 101 Funny Things About Global Warming, the funnies flow faster than the melt water on the Greenland ice sheet, taking on everything from unreliable Hybrid cars and pie-in-the-sky alternative energy sources to head-in-the-sand politicians and the existential crisis of our own biodegradable nature. (by Sidney Harris (and collegues))

Earth Under Fire

How Global Warming Is Changing the World   (by Gary Braasch)

Photojournalist Gary Braasch journeyed the world to observe and document environmental changes resulting from the warming of our climate. In this stunning book, he brings us along to witness firsthand what he saw as he crossed the Antarctic and Arctic Circles, hiked at 15,000 feet in the Andes, dove on damaged coral reefs, and followed scientists into the field on four continents. In more than 100 photographs, including dramatic before-and-after comparisons, Braasch records communities, landscapes, and animals at risk because of receding glaciers, eroding coastlines, rising sea levels, and thawing permafrost. Earth Under Fire is the most complete illustrated guide to the effects of climate change available.

The Atlas of Climate Change

Mapping the World's Greatest Challenge   (by Kirstin Dow, Thomas Downing)

Global-warming-driven heat waves, droughts, and floods are bringing death to vulnerable populations, destroying livelihoods, and driving people from their homes. This book examines the causes of climate change and considers its possible impact on coastal megacities and subsistence-level populations; water resources; ecosystems and biodiversity; human health; and humanity's cultural treasures. With more than 50 full-color maps and graphics, this is an essential resource for policy makers, environmentalists, students, and everyone concerned with this pressing subject.

What We Know About Climate Change   (by Kerry Emanuel)

Kerry Emanuel's work documenting global-warming-driven increases in the intensity and power of hurricanes and flooding was widely cited in media coverage of Hurricane Katrina. In this book, Emanuel outlines the basic science of global warming, how the current scientific consensus has emerged, and how global warming skeptics and ill-informed elected officials have continued to dismiss this consensus.

Climate Change: What It Means for Us, Our Children, and Our Grandchildren   (by Joseph F. C. DiMento, Pamela M. Doughman (editors))

Most of us are familiar with the terms climate change and global warming, but not too many of us understand the science behind them. We don't really understand how climate change will affect us, and for that reason we might not consider it as pressing a concern as, say, housing prices or the quality of local education. This book explains the scientific knowledge about global climate change clearly and concisely in nontechnical language, describes how it will affect all of us, and suggests how government, business, and citizens can take action against it.

Storm World

Hurricanes, Politics, and The Battle Over Global Warming   (by Chris Mooney)

Storm World delves into the red-hot debate over "the weather": is the increasing ferocity of hurricanes connected to global warming? In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, journalist and New Orleans native Chris Mooney traces how the media, special interests, politics, and the weather itself have skewed the scientific debate.

Urban Meltdown   (by Clive Doucet)

Cities, Climate Change and Politics as Usual

Eighty percent of the planet's greenhouse gases are created by our energy-intensive urban centers. Thus, the key to creating climate change solutions resides with cities. Doucet's central theme is that climate change is proceeding without an effective response, not for lack of knowledge, but because politicians who deviate from the car-based sprawl model cannot get elected. Urban Meltdown describes how we got here, why we got here, and what can be done about it.

With Speed and Violence   (by Fred Pearce)

Why Scientists Fear Tipping Points in Climate Change

Where once scientists were concerned about gradual climate change, more and more now fear abrupt change resulting from the triggering of hidden tipping points. With Speed and Violence covers phenomena such as the melting permafrost in Siberia, the huge meltwater systems beneath the icecaps of Greenland and Antarctica, the thermohaline (ocean) conveyor system—and explains what such things portend for our future.

Climate Crash   (by John D. Cox)

Abrupt Climate Change And What It Means For Our Future

Scientists are finding that layers extracted from cores drilled into ice sheets, sediments collected from sea shores, and growth rings exposed in ancient corals and trees all say the same thing—that climate shifts can be more sudden and troublesome than we'd ever thought possible. Find out what the triggers are and how likely the climate is to crash.

The Economics of Climate Change

The Stern Review   (by Nicholas Stern)

There is now clear scientific evidence that emissions from economic activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels for energy, are causing changes to the earth's climate. A sound understanding of the economics of climate change is needed in order to underpin an effective global response to this challenge. The Stern Review—conducted by Sir Nicholas Stern, head of the UK Government Economic Service and a former Chief Economist at the World Bank—is an independent, rigorous, and comprehensive analysis of the economic aspects of this crucial issue.

The North Pole Was Here

Puzzles and Perils at the Top of the World  (by Andrew Revkin)

For ages 11-14.  The sun never sets, the air is twenty degrees below zero, and the ice is moving at four hundred yards an hour. Welcome to the North Pole. In his quest to understand the pole, Andrew Revkin leads readers through the mysterious history of arctic exploration; follows oceanographers as they drill a hole through nine feet of ice to dive into waters below; peers into the mysteries of climate modeling; and shows how the fate of the North Pole will affect us all.

Who Says Kids Can't FIght Global Warming

For ages 9-12.  Inspired by actual events in the life of one of the authors, the book tells the story of a young boy and his friends who set out to help the boy's father with his new business and end up creating the most active club in their school, one that involves students from every class and creates an important solution for global warming and vehicle pollution. This children's book has been heralded as the kids' version of An Inconvenient Truth and topped the International Best Seller list in the Ecology and Environment categories. (by Patrick GB Harrison, Gail Bunny McLeod)

Global Warming Alert!   (by Richard Cheel)

For ages 9-12.  The Earth's average temperature is rising and scientists are studying the effects of this change with alarm. Sea levels around the world are changing, the number of severe storms and hurricanes each year is increasing, and the landscape is changing due to rapid desertification and crop loss. Written by an earth scientist, Global Warming Alert!  is a thoughtful look at how the way we live is affecting the planet.

This Is My Planet   The Kids' Guide to Global Warming

For ages 9-12.  Reports of global warming's catastrophic effects are everywhere: in newspapers, on the nightly news, even on movie screens. The subject can be so overwhelming that young people are often left with the thought, What can I possibly do? This Is My Planet  takes a comprehensive look at climate change and then gives young readers the tools they need to live their own lives more ecologically—and, ultimately, to improve the life of the planet. Although she doesn't shy away from the truth, Thornhill offers hope, showing where action can make a difference. (by Jan Thornhill)

The Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming

For ages 8 and up.  Irreverent and entertaining, The Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming is filled with facts about global warming and its disastrous consequences, loads of photos and illustrations, as well as suggestions for how kids can help combat global warming in their homes, schools, and communities. The book is designed to educate and empower, leaving readers with the knowledge they need to understand this problem and a sense of hope to inspire them into action. (by Laurie David, Cambria Gordon)

A Clean Sky   The Global Warming Story

For elementary-school-aged children.  This book tells the story of the global warming challenge, describing the possible dramatic changes to the earth's climate and laying out some of the things we all can do to meet the challenge; for instance, using altenative means of generating electricity. (by Robyn Friend, Judith Cohen (authors), David Katz (illustrator))

Snowy White World to Save

For elementary-school-aged children.  Global warming is melting the Arctic. Once the Arctic sea ice has vanished, the majestic polar bear, a magnificent creature who needs the sea ice to survive, will vanish too. The ice is home to the bears, as well as to their primary food source, the ringed seal. The bears feed, mate, travel, make dens, and give birth on the ice. Scientists are predicting that Arctic polar bears will be extinct within our lifetimes. Snowy White World to Save combines beautiful illustrations in washed tones with simple text to explain the situation in a manner appropriate for young children. (by Stephanie Lisa Tara (author), Alex Walton (illustrator))

Why Are the Ice Caps Melting?

The Dangers of Global Warming

For ages 4-8.
The earth is getting hotter, and not just in the summer.
The climate of your own hometown is changing.
But why is this happening, and can we stop it?
Read and find out!
(by Anne Rockwell (author), Paul Meisel (illustrator))

The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook

77 Essential Skills To Stop Climate Change   (by David de Rothschild)

For teens and 20-somethings.  The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook is the official companion volume to the Live Earth concerts of 2007. The book presents 77 essential skills for stopping climate change—and for living through it. The book offers equal parts factual information, practical advice, tongue-in-cheek suggestions, and ambitious ways to save the world, all presented with full-color instructional illustrations.
RELATED ITEM: Live Earth 2007 Concert DVD

Degrees That Matter   Climate Change and the University

For college students and affiliates.  Universities and colleges are in a unique position to take a leadership role on global warming. As communities, they can strategize and organize effective action. As laboratories for learning and centers of research, they can reduce their own emissions of greenhouse gases, educate students about global warming, and direct scholarly attention to issues related to climate change and energy. Degrees That Matter offers practical guidance for those who want to harness the power of universities and other institutions, and provides perspectives on how to motivate change and inspire action within complex organizations. (by Ann Rappaport, Sarah Hammond Creighton)

Fight Global Warming Now

The Handbook for Taking Action in Your Community   (by Bill McKibben)

Evidence of accelerating planetary warming and crisis continues to accumulate: Arctic melting; the warmest East Coast winter in recorded history; NASA's top climate scientist warning that we have only ten years to reverse climate change; the British government reporting that the financial impact of global warming will be greater than the Great Depression and both world wars—combined. Fight Global Warming Now describes how to launch online grassroots campaigns, generate persuasive political pressure, plan high-profile events that will draw media attention, and other effective actions. This essential book offers the blueprint for a mighty new movement against the most urgent challenge facing us today.

Ignition   What You Can Do to Fight Global Warming and Spark a Movement

The evidence is irrefutable: global warming threatens our homes, health, and way of life. So why isn't America doing anything? Where is the national campaign to stop this catastrophe? Ignition brings together some of the world's finest thinkers and advocates to jump-start the ultimate green revolution. The authors have drawn on their direct experience in grassroots organizing, education, law, and social leadership to create an essential guide that answers the most important question we each face: "What can I do?" (Jonathan Isham, Sissel Waage - editors)

Heat   How to Stop the Planet From Burning

George Monbiot offers an ambitious program to avoid climate catastrophe—by cutting CO2 emissions by 90% by 2030. He supports his proposals with a rigorous investigation into what works, what doesn't, cost factors, and hurdles. He wages war on bad ideas as energetically as he promotes good ones. Monbiot's sense of urgency is genuine: "We are the last generation that can make this happen, and this is the last possible moment at which we can make it happen." (by George Monbiot)

The Suicidal Planet   How to Prevent Global Climate Catastrophe

Our lifestyles are pushing the planet its limits. Mayer Hillman explains the real issues: what role technology can play, how you and your community can make changes, and what governments must do now to protect our planet for future generations. Revised to include US global-warming facts and figures, The Suicidal Planet  takes us out of the problem and into the solution of our international crisis. (by Mayer Hillman, Tina Fawcett, Sudhir Chella Rajan)

Safe Trip to Eden   (by David Steinman)

10 Steps to Save Planet Earth from the Global Warming Meltdown

In Safe Trip to Eden, David Steinman explores the link between environmentalism, conservatism, patriotism, and national security. He reveals how our over-reliance on petroleum-based products and chemical pesticides have negatively impacted our health and national security; then he offers steps we can all take help solve the problem by making better choices, from the food to household products to cars.

Low Carbon Diet   (by David Gershon)

A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds

Looking for a fool-proof program to help you do your part to stop global warming? Go on a Low Carbon Diet! This "30 Day Program to Lose 5000 lbs" is a fun, accessible, easy to use guide that will show you, step-by-step, how to dramatically reduce your CO2 output in just a month's time.

Forty Signs of Rain   (by Kim Stanley Robinson)

Forty Signs of Rain is a novel that features cutting-edge science, international politics, and the real-life ramifications of global warming as they are played out in our nation's capital—all told through the daily lives of those at the center of the action. Hauntingly realistic, the novel is set in the near future but inspired by scientific facts already making headlines. With style, wit, and rare insight into our past, present, and possible future, the novel propels us into a world on the verge of unprecedented change.

A Friend of the Earth   (by T.C. Boyle, FICTION)

REVIEW: Meet Ty Tierwater—20th-century environmentalist, 21st-century cynic—and follow his two stories: his exploits in today's world of ecological power struggles, and tomorrow's world of ecological disaster come to pass. Greens will appreciate Tierwater's pro-environment tirades and his lust for taking action; nay-sayers will nod their heads at the portrayal of Tierwater as lawless and often over-the-line. Everyone will appreciate T.C. Boyle's sharp wit and the vivid detail in this well-paced novel.

Hell and High Water   (by Joseph Romm)

Global Warming—the Solution and the Politics—and What We Should Do

Joseph Romm asserts that global warming is the most serious issue facing the future of humankind and that US energy policy is driving the whole world down the path of global catastrophe. With Hell and High Water, Romm issues a wake-up call to the country, laying out a plan of action that includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, adopting aggressive energy-efficiency measures, and embracing high-mileage, advanced vehicles that can run on both electricity and biofuels. Hell and High Water goes beyond ideological rhetoric to offer pragmatic solutions to avert a global warming disaster—solutions that must be taken seriously by every American.

Thin Ice   (by Mark Bowen)

Unlocking the Secrets of Climate in the World's Highest Mountains

Climatologist Lonnie Thompson has been risking his life on the highest, most remote mountain ice caps in search of clues to the history of climate change. Thompson collects ice cores that provide detailed information about climate history, reaching back 750,000 years. Scientist and expert climber Mark Bowen joined Thompson's crew on several expeditions, and in Thin Ice he takes the reader deep inside retreating glaciers to unravel the mysteries of climate—and the earth's probable future.

The Weather Makers   (by Tim Flannery)

How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth

The Weather Makers is both an urgent warning and a call to arms, outlining the history of climate change, how it will unfold over the next century, and what we can do to prevent a cataclysmic future. Tim Flannery offers specific suggestions for action for both lawmakers and individuals, offering an action plan with steps each and every one of us can take right now to reduce deadly CO2 emissions by as much as 70%.

Field Notes from a Catastrophe   (by Elizabeth Kolbert)

Man, Nature, and Climate Change

In this book, New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert tackles global warming from every aspect. She explains the science and the studies, unpacks the politics, draws frightening parallels to lost ancient civilizations, and presents the personal tales of those who are being affected most—the people who make their homes near the poles and, in an eerie foreshadowing, are watching their worlds disappear. Finally, she explores what, if anything, can be done to save our planet.

The Winds of Change   (by Eugene Linden)

Climate, Weather, and the Destruction of Civilizations

Climate nurtured the first civilizations and then repeatedly visited ruin on empires and peoples. Eugene Linden reveals a recurring pattern in which civilizations become prosperous and complacent during good weather, only to collapse when the climate changes—either through its direct effects, such as floods or drought, or from indirect consequences, such as disease, blight, and civil disorder. Linden also looks at the present to determine whether the killer is on the prowl again.

An Inconvenient Truth   (by Al Gore)

The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It

This paperback companion to Al Gore's breatk-through movie of the same name provides an insightful look at the causes and effects of global warming. It also provides every day solutions we can use to slow the toll humans have upon this planet.

The Empty Tank   (by Jeremy K. Leggett)

Oil, Gas, Hot Air, and the Coming Global Financial Catastrophe

The inhabitants on planet earth are about to be caught between the twin hammers of peak oil and global warming, with coming global turmoil being the result. Leggett outlines the corporate/government cover-up that masks the problem, details the true status of our oil reserves, and proposes a new Manhattan Project for energy that can save us.

Boiling Point   How Politicians, Big Oil and Coal, Journalists and Activists Are Fueling the Climate Crisis—And What We Can Do to Avert Disaster

In "Boiling Point," journalist Ross Gelbspan argues that, unchecked, climate change will swamp every other issue facing us today. Institutional denial and delay has now grown into a crime against humanity. Gelbspan points the finger at not only the fossil fuel industry but also at media and environmental activists, who have unwittingly worsened the crisis. (by Ross Gelbspan)

Global Warming: Personal Solutions for a Healthy Planet

This book breaks through the jargon, offering readers both a clear description of the global warming problem and a practical guide to solutions, from decreasing reliance on automobiles to increased recycling to political activism. It offers hope that each of us can be doing something to solve the problem and encourages us to act—not only for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren. (by Chris Spence)

The Discovery of Global Warming

How did we arrive at this important action point on global warming and what do we do about it? Weart explains the history of climate change investigations in detective-story format.
(by Spencer R. Weart)

You Can Prevent Global Warming (and Save Money!)

51 Easy Ways   (by Jeffrey Langholz, Kelly Turner)

Learn the benefits of compact fluorescent bulbs, energy-efficient refrigerators, cheaper heating and cooling techniques, smarter shopping, and more—all designed to save you money and reduce global warming and other environmental problems.

Climate Change Policy: A Survey

Explores the economic and political implications of fixing the global warming/climate change problem; includes an analysis of uncertainties in climate science. (edited by Schneider, Niles, & Rosencranz)

The Carbon War

Global Warming and the End of the Oil Era

Written by a former petroleum geologist; explains global warming and its impacts; recounts efforts by the fossil-fuel industries to stall and dilute government action on climate change. (by Jeremy K. Leggett, Jan-2001)

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