The Breakdown of Climate: Human Choices or Global Disaster?

El Nino, the collapse of the Gulf Stream, devastating hurricanes and floods -- many natural disasters have been linked in recent years to global warming and other climatic changes. Are these events part of a natural cycle, or have we reached the limits of Earth's ability to perpetuate these cycles? Our very survival depends on our relationship with the natural climate. The Breakdown of Climate depicts how human activities have influenced weather patterns and created imbalances throughout the natural world; imbalances which now pose a very real threat to human health, agriculture and existence. The author addresses issues such as deforestation and environmental pollution, explaining how they are causing damage beyond their places of origin. He creates awareness of the risks associated with some modern industrial and agricultural practices, and suggests alternatives that mights allow the earth to regain its natural equilibrium. The Breakdown of Climate gives a clear overall picture of climate, from its origins to the present day, comparing the cause and effects of evolutionary changes with human influences. It explains how weather systems function, and how oceanic currents and tropical forests are vital in maintaining these systems. The author describes how natural systems perpetuate themselves, and are essential to our planet as a whole. In the midst of a seemingly hopeless scenario, The Breakdown of Climate offers hope to all those genuinely concerned about the increased violence and occurrence of natural disasters.

About the Author :
Peter Bunyard is one of the founding editors of The Ecologist and a writer and lecturer on ecological issues. He edited Gaia in Action, an anthology based on the Camelford Conferences for Gaia Theory.

Review :
'This book needs to be read, to be bought, or ordered from the local library.' -- Y Fignn Cymmis, Winter 1999 'Peter Bunyard has waded through a morass of information about how the climate system works and has communicated the key ideas in a style which is engaging, illuminating, succinct and accessible to non-scientists. This book is a very good place to start if you are beginning to explore the Earth system and our impact upon it.' -- Stephen Harding, Resurgence, October 2000 'Gives a clear overall picture of climate from its origins to the present day, comparing the cause and effect of natural changes with human influences. Almost anyone seeking a guide to climate science, in plain language that is clear and well-structured but does not shy away from complexities, will find what they need in this book. Even if you think you know quite a bit already, here is almost everything you ever wanted to know but were too afraid to ask.' -- Caspar Henderson, The Ecologist, October 2000 'Sobering and well-informed. The value of the book is that it gives a complete overview of climate as a whole, so that the reader can clearly understand how human activities have impacted on planetary systems, including the balancing act performed by oceanic currents and tropical forests. Essential reading in this field.' -- Scientific and Medical Network Review, December 1999