Climate Peril: The Intelligent Reader's Guide to Understanding the Climate Crisis

In an easily accessible work of enormous scope and depth, John J. Berger vividly evokes the looming hazards of a warmer world. Based on the latest climate science, Climate Peril reveals that the impacts of climate change on our health, economy, and environment are far worse—and more imminent—than many realize. The book identifies the obstacles to climate protection and shows why steep and unprecedented—yet affordable—cuts in greenhouse gases are needed now to avert a global climate catastrophe.

Climate Peril portrays the radically altered world we will create in 2100 A.D. if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced and documents the rapid and unnatural climate change already taking place. The book explores all major consequences of climate change, especially its astonishing impacts on the economy, human health, other species, and the oceans. Among other awesome risks, Climate Peril describes the billions of ton of carbon lurking in ocean sea beds and thawing permafrost and the global danger of crossing an invisible threshold beyond which catastrophic climate changes become inevitable.

While its conclusions are alarming, Climate Peril is above all a realistic and authoritative book that you can use to better understand how climate change may affect you and your family.

Climate Peril is the second of a three book series. Volume 1, Climate Myths, focused on the political campaign waged against climate science. Volume 3, Climate Solutions (forthcoming), shows how to create a climate-safe world by radically transforming global energy, transportation, and land use practices.

Early Praise for Climate Peril

“A brilliant book, and one that might just change the world. By far the best overview of climate science and its implications for our planet that I’ve ever read.”
- Tim Flannery, Chief Councilor, Australian Climate Council, and Author, The Weather Makers

“I applaud Climate Peril for showing so clearly that climatic disruption is the consuming issue of our time and our response in the next few years will determine the fate of this civilization.”
- George M. Woodwell, Founder, Director Emeritus, and Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Research Center

“Climate Peril is an excellent primer on the causes and effects of climate change, which, as John Berger notes, imperils our very existence and that of all natural systems on which we depend.”
- Lester R. Brown, President, Earth Policy Institute and Author, Full Planet, Empty Plates

“Read Climate Peril and you will become well informed about what probably is the greatest threat ever faced by civilization.”
- Paul R. and Anne H. Ehrlich, from the Introduction to Climate Peril

“Climate Peril lays the foundation for understanding the actions we must take to begin building a sustainable world for the future. Highly recommended!”
- Peter H. Raven, President Emeritus, Missouri Botanical Garden

About the Author

John J. Berger, Ph.D., writes about climate change from the perspective of an internationally respected energy and natural resources expert. Trained in ecology. Dr. Berger has served as a consultant to government, scientific, academic, and nonprofit organizations, including the U.S. Congress and the National Academy of Sciences.

John J. Berger, Ph.D. is the author and editor of 11 books on climate, energy, and natural resources. He is a graduate of Stanford University and has a master s in energy and natural resources from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in ecology from UC Davis. A journalist and leader of national environmental organizations, he has also served as a consultant to government, scientific, academic, and nonprofit organizations, including the U.S. Congress and the National Academy of Sciences.