The Encyclopedia of Weather and Climate Change: A Complete Visual Guide - Hardcover

Fry, Juliane L.; Graf, Hans-F; Grotjahn, Richard; Raphael, Marilyn N.; Saunders, Clive; Whitaker, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0520261011 ISBN 13: 9780520261013

Publisher: University of California Press, 2010

Synopsis

Encyclopedia of Weather features:

• Spectacular color photographs, detailed diagrams, beautiful graphics, and maps

• Easy-to-understand text that is packed with enough detail for scientists yet accessible in classrooms from the junior high school level (and up)

• The most up-to-date information based on the most recent scientific findings

• Succinct explanations of climate change, the enhanced greenhouse effect, global warming, and ozone depletion

• "Fact files" that put information at readers' fingertips

This beautiful, comprehensive, and up-to-date volume covers in amazing depth all aspects of the world's weather. Liberally illustrated with more than 2,000 color photographs, supplemental maps, diagrams, and other images, The Encyclopedia of Weather and Climate Change takes the reader beyond simple definitions to explore where weather comes from and the roles played by oceans and water cycles, and explains such related phenomena as the shaping of landforms, the creation of biological provinces, and the lasting ramifications of climate change. It also discusses how humans have survived and adapted in extreme climates like deserts, jungles, and icy regions. Each of the book's six sections is written and vetted by a different expert. "Engine" discusses what weather is, the solar powerhouse that supplies it, and Earth's atmospheric systems and seasons. "Action" delves into the dynamics of various weather forms. "Extremes" covers blizzards, heat waves, wildfires, and more. "Watching" tracks how weather is measured, mapped, monitored, and forecast. "Climate" delineates the continental climate zones and describes the plant, animal, and human adaptations for each. "Change" considers the history of climate change―ice ages, dinosaur extinction, melting glaciers, human impact, and more―and what we can expect in the future.

About this title

About the Author

Juliane L. Fry is Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Studies at Reed College. Hans-F Graf is Professor for Environmental Systems Analysis in the Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Cambridge. Richard Grotjahn is Professor -in the Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources at the University of California, Davis. Marilyn N. Raphael is Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Los Angeles. Clive Saunders is Senior Lecturer in the School of Earth, Atmospheric, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester. Richard Whitaker is an independent meteorological consultant who appears frequently on the Weather Channel in Australia.

From the Back Cover

"This is the best general book on climatology ever published―a real masterpiece!"―Christopher C. Burt, author of Extreme Weather

From the Inside Flap

"This is the best general book on climatology ever published a real masterpiece!" Christopher C. Burt, author of Extreme Weather

Reviews

This heavily illustrated volume is packed with more than 3,000 color photographs, maps, and diagrams, complemented by concise explanations regarding the world’s weather and climate. It is divided into six sections, each written by a different expert. “Engine” explains what weather is and how winds and ocean conditions affect our planet’s weather. “Action” looks at water, clouds, precipitation, and optical effects. “Extremes” discusses thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, droughts, and more. “Watching” examines the history of meteorology and how weather today is mapped and forecasted. More than half the book’s content can be found in the last two sections, “Climate” and “Change.” “Climate” outlines the various climate zones as well as regional climate information. The final section, “Change,” covers the history of climate change, natural patterns, human factors, how climate change is threatening life on earth, and suggestions for reversing these trends. Each section is broken into chapters. Following an introduction, each chapter has several entries, generally two pages in length, covering individual topics (for example, Tornado structure, Tornado climatology) and containing fact files, locator maps, charts, diagrams, photographs, and more. Special features called “Insights” look at certain topics (for example, Notable tornadoes) in more depth. Recommended for high-school and public libraries. --Robyn Rosenberg

Edition details

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0520261011
• ISBN 13: 9780520261013
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 512