A history of the science and politics of climate change: the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

How did the global climate change issues emerge? The issue of human-induced global climate change became a major environmental concern during the twentieth century. In response to growing concern about human-induced global climate change, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed in 1988. Written by its first chairman, this book is an overview of the history of the IPCC. It describes and evaluates the intricate interplay between key factors in the science and politics of climate change, the strategy that has been followed, and the regretfully slow pace in getting to grips with the uncertainties that have prevented earlier action being taken. The book also highlights the emerging conflict between establishing a sustainable global energy system and preventing a serious change in global climate. This text provides researchers and policy makers with an insight into the history of the politics of climate change. Bolin Offers A History Of The Ipcc For Researchers And Policy Makers In Climate Change. He Evaluates The Intricate Interplay Between Key Factors In The Science And Politics Of Climate Change, The Strategy That's Been Followed, And The Slow Pace In Getting To Grips With The Uncertainties That Have Prevented Earlier Action Being Taken. Pt. I. The Early History Of The Climate Change Issue -- 1. Nineteenth-century Discoveries -- 2. The Natural Carbon Cycle And Life On Earth -- 3. Global Research Initiatives In Meteorology And Climatology -- 4. Early International Assessments Of Climate Change -- Pt. Ii. The Climate Change Issue Becomes One Of Global Concern -- 5. Setting The Stage -- 6. The Scientific Basis For A Climate Convention -- 7. Serving The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee -- 8. The Ipcc Second Assessment Report -- 9. In The Aftermath Of The Ipcc Second Assessment -- 10. The Kyoto Protocol Is Agreed And A Third Assessment Begun -- 11. A Decade Of Hesitance And Slow Progress -- Pt. Iii. Are We At A Turning Point In Addressing Climate Change? -- 12. Key Scientific Findings Of Prime Political Relevance -- 13. Climate Change And A Future Sustainable Global Energy Supply. Bert Bolin. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 262-274) And Indexes. Title ......Page 1 Contents ......Page 5 I. The early history of the climate change issue ......Page 15 1. Nineteenth-century discoveries ......Page 17 2. The natural carbon cycle and life on earth ......Page 23 3. Global research initiatives in meteorology and climatology ......Page 33 4. Early international assessments of climate change ......Page 47 II. The climate change issue becomes one of global concern ......Page 55 5. Setting the stage......Page 57 6. The scientific basis for a climate convention ......Page 67 7. Serving the Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee......Page 93 8. The IPCC second assessment report ......Page 120 9. In the aftermath of the IPCC second assessment ......Page 139 10. The Kyoto Protocol is agreed and a third assessment begun ......Page 161 11. A decade of hesitance and slow progress ......Page 177 III. Are we at a turning point in addressing climate change? ......Page 207 12. Key scientific findings of prime political relevance ......Page 209 13. Climate change and a future sustainable global energy supply ......Page 228 Some concluding remarks ......Page 262 Notes ......Page 265 References ......Page 276 Name Index ......Page 287 Subject Index ......Page 289 "The issue of human-induced global climate change became a major environmental concern during the twentieth century, and is the paramount environmental concern of the twenty-first century. Response to climate change requires effective interaction from the scientific community, society in general, and politicians in particular. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), formed in 1988, has gradually developed to become the key UN body in providing this service to the countries of the world." "Written by its first Chairman, this book is an overview of the history of the IPCC. It describes and evaluates the intricate interplay between key factors in the science and politics of climate change, the strategy that has been followed, and the regretfully slow pace in getting to grips with the uncertainties that have prevented earlier action being taken. The book also highlights the emerging conflict between establishing a sustainable global system and preventing a serious change in global climate. This text provides researchers and policy makers with an insight into the history of the politics of climate change."--Jacket