Sudden and Disruptive Climate Change: Exploring the Real Risks and How We Can Avoid Them

'An impressive accomplishment.� Al Gore, Former Vice President of the US, co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, and author of An Inconvenient Truth "Offers positive solutions that no rational person, organization or government can ignore - except at their peril." Stephen H. Schneider, Professor for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies, Stanford University, and author of The Genesis Strategy: Climate and Global Survival "The science is clear and the message of this book is that there is no more time for delay." Rosina M. Bierbaum, Dean, University of Michigan While changes in emissions and atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases are projected to be slow and smooth, the intensity and impacts of climate change on the environment and society could be abrupt and erratic. Surprising and nonlinear responses are likely to occur as warming exceeds certain thresholds, inducing relatively rapid and disruptive changes in the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, precipitation intensity and patterns, coastal inundation, the occurrence of wildfire, the ranges of plant and animal species and more. Written by a transdisciplinary group of internationally respected researchers, this book explores the possibilities of such changes, their significance for society and efforts to move more rapidly to limit climate change than current government measures.

While changes in emissions and atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases are generally projected to be slow and smooth, there are increasing indications that the intensity and impacts of climate change on the environment and society could, at least on a regional basis, be abrupt and bumpy. Surprising and nonlinear responses are likely to result as warming exceeds certain thresholds, inducing relatively rapid changes in, for example, the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, atmospheric wind and precipitation patterns, coastal inundation, the occurrence of wildfire, and the ranges of plant and animal species.

Written and edited by a transdisciplinary group of internationally respected researchers, this book explores the possibilities of such changes and their significance for our society. In addition to covering the status of the science in a number of the critical areas, it also provides indications that there is a significant potential (and need) for action to limit human-induced perturbations, which can occur more rapidly than governments are currently moving.

Michael C. MacCracken is Chief Scientist for Climate Change Programs with the Climate Institute in Washington DC. His activities focus on improving understanding of climate change and its impacts and outreach efforts focused on extending public understanding. Dr. MacCracken is also president of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS) for the period 2003–2007.

John C. Topping, Jr is President of the Climate Institute.

Frances Moore is a social change and democracy activist and the author of 15 books, including the three-million-copy bestseller Diet for a Small Planet.