Icy Planet

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Icy Planet

Saving Earth's Refrigerator

History of science Historical geology and palaeogeology Environmental policy and protocols Conservation of wildlife and habitats

Author: Colin Summerhayes

Dinosaur mascot

Language: English

Published by: Oxford University Press

Published on: 13th December 2022

Format: LCP-protected ePub

Size: 10 Mb

ISBN: 9780197628003


Introduction

This book takes readers to Antarctica, the Arctic and the high mountains, to see what is happening to their ice, snow and permafrost. Ice and snow reflect solar energy back to space, keeping the planet cool. As global overheating melts them away, we are losing this refrigeration factor, which adds to global overheating.

Climate Evidence

The author begins by laying out the evidence for carbon dioxide as the control knob of climate, and hence of sea level, for the past 1000 million years, before exploring the effects of climate change in the three main icy regions.

Future Impacts

He shows us how climate change will likely affect us and the planet as we approach the end of this century and beyond. His story ends by analysing how politics and economics are determining our response to global overheating, reminding readers of the enormous global challenges inherent in changing from a fossil fuel to a renewable energy infrastructure.

Challenges and Hope

There is no overnight solution. Can we save Earth's refrigerator? Will Net Zero work? Addressing these key questions Summerhayes is cautiously optimistic about our chances provided we have the collective will to act on what we know.

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