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  • Textbook
  • © 2013

Climate Change Science: A Modern Synthesis

Volume 1 - The Physical Climate

  • Volume One of a two-volume treatment of climate change science designed for an introductory science course
  • Describes the discipline of Climate Change Science, and individual climate change scientists whose expertise spans Earth history, geology, geography, biology, oceanography, astronomy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and more
  • Examines evidence of global warming that has entered mainstream discussions of climate change
  • Discusses the ideas and tactics of climate skeptics and deniers

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Table of contents (24 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxviii
  2. Scientific Principles and the Scientific Method

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
  3. SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

    1. Introduction

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 3-16
    2. Scientific Principles

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 17-46
    3. The Scientific Method and Its Use

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 47-77
  4. Overview of Climate Change Science

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 79-79
  5. OVERVIEW OF CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE

    1. Earth’s Energy Budget

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 81-95
    2. Climate Change Trends

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 97-133
    3. Earth’s Surface Temperature

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 135-157
    4. Climate Change Science as Earth Science

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 159-176
  6. Earth’s Atmosphere

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 177-177
  7. EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE

    1. Introduction to Earth’s Atmosphere

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 179-198
    2. Carbon Dioxide, Other Greenhouse Gases, and the Carbon Cycle

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 199-215
    3. Earth’s Albedo, Radiative Forcing and Climate Change

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 217-229
    4. Atmospheric Circulation and Climate

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 231-243
  8. The World Ocean and Climate

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 245-245
  9. THE WORLD OCEAN AND CLIMATE

    1. The World Ocean

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 247-259
    2. Ocean Heat Content and Rising Sea Level

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 261-273
  10. Earth’s Cryosphere and Recent Climate History

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 275-275
  11. EARTH’S CRYOSPHERE AND RECENT CLIMATE HISTORY

    1. Glaciers and the Latest Ice Age

      • G. Thomas Farmer, John Cook
      Pages 277-306

About this book

An introduction to the principles of climate change science with an emphasis on the empirical evidence for climate change and a warming world. Additional readings are given at the end of each chapter. A list of "Things to Know" opens each chapter. Chapters are arranged so that the student is first introduced to the scientific method(s), examples of the use of the scientific method from other sciences drawn from the history of science with an emphasis on climate science. Climate science is treated in each chapter based on the premise of global warming. Chapter treatments on the atmosphere. biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and anthroposphere and their inter-relationships are given.

Reviews

From the book reviews:

“Climate Change Science: A Modern Synthesis is the latest entry in a small but growing field of texts aimed at students in introductory college courses in climate science. … The book clearly acknowledges the broadly interdisciplinary nature of climate change science, with 22 chapters covering a wide range of topics in climate science. … the book is designed so that the chapters can largely stand on their own and an instructor can pick and choose which topics to emphasize.” (Jonathan Cole, Reports of the National Center for Science Education, Vol. 34 (4), July-August, 2014)

“This book is the first of a two-part series focused on Earth’s climate in the past, present, and future. Volume 1 deals with physical aspects of climate science and provides a broad introduction to scientific inquiry and the history of the discipline, followed by detailed descriptions of climate system components and their importance in a climate change context. … this volume may also be a useful reference for people working in climate-related disciplines. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers/faculty, professionals.” (J. Schoof, Choice, Vol. 51 (4), December, 2013)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Farmer Enterprises, Las Cruces, USA

    G. Thomas Farmer

  • School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia

    John Cook

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access