| Hack the Planet: Science's Best Hope - or Worst Nightmare - for Averting Climate Catastrophe |  | Author: Eli Kintisch
Publisher: Wiley
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $14.94
as of 9/3/2010 15:31 PDT details
You Save: $11.01 (42%)
New (36) from $14.94
Seller: indoobestsellers
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 231,042
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3
ISBN: 047052426X
Dewey Decimal Number: 551.6
EAN: 9780470524268
ASIN: 047052426X
Publication Date: April 19, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9780470524268 | | • | Condition: New | | • | Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed |
|
| Also Available In:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
An inside tour of the incredible—and probably dangerous—plans to counteract the effects of climate change through experiments that range from the plausible to the fantastic David Battisti had arrived in Cambridge expecting a bloodbath. So had many of the other scientists who had joined him for an invitation-only workshop on climate science in 2007, with geoengineering at the top of the agenda. We can't take deliberately altering the atmosphere seriously, he thought, because there’s no way we'll ever know enough to control it. But by the second day, with bad climate news piling on bad climate news, he was having second thoughts. When the scientists voted in a straw poll on whether to support geoengineering research, Battisti, filled with fear about the future, voted in favor. While the pernicious effects of global warming are clear, efforts to reduce the carbon emissions that cause it have fallen far short of what’s needed. Some scientists have started exploring more direct and radical ways to cool the planet, such as: - Pouring reflective pollution into the upper atmosphere
- Making clouds brighter
- Growing enormous blooms of algae in the ocean
Schemes that were science fiction just a few years ago have become earnest plans being studied by alarmed scientists, determined to avoid a climate catastrophe. In Hack the Planet, Science magazine reporter Eli Kintisch looks more closely at this array of ideas and characters, asking if these risky schemes will work, and just how geoengineering is changing the world. Scientists are developing geoengineering techniques for worst-case scenarios. But what would those desperate times look like? Kintisch outlines four circumstances: collapsing ice sheets, megadroughts, a catastrophic methane release, and slowing of the global ocean conveyor belt. As incredible and outlandish as many of these plans may seem, could they soon become our only hope for avoiding calamity? Or will the plans of brilliant and well-intentioned scientists cause unforeseeable disasters as they play out in the real world? And does the advent of geoengineering mean that humanity has failed in its role as steward of the planet—or taken on a new responsibility? Kintisch lays out the possibilities and dangers of geoengineering in a time of planetary tipping points. His investigation is required reading as the debate over global warming shifts to whether humanity should Hack the Planet.
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
 Thoughtful and thought-provoking April 17, 2010
B. Kravitz (New Brunswick, NJ USA)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Hack the Planet is a scary read, cataloguing the history of the unpleasant idea of geoengineering. It's filled with paranoia about potential disasters to the climate and the biosphere. It shows us nightmares about governance and the potential for future climate wars regarding setting the global thermostat. Unfortunately, such paranoia is well justified.
In reading this book, it's obvious Kintisch has done his homework. His knowledge of climate science is spot-on, as is his history of geoengineering. One can tell he's been reading about this sobering subject for quite a while. He's traveled the world to meetings and talked to just about everyone in the field. If anyone could ever present a holistic, balanced picture of geoengineering, Kintisch certainly has the credentials, and he does not fail to deliver.
One of my favorite things about the book is his witty choice to precede each chapter with an interesting anecdote about how man's efforts to shape the climate around him has often led to ecological disaster. After reading these, one would think twice before approaching climate modification with even a shred of hubris.
He also brings home the important point about the very nature of scientific research, in that we will never know everything. Any uncertainties will always be critical to our understanding of such a complex, interrelated system.
That said, some of the concerns Kintisch addresses are overblown, especially regarding confidence in climate model predictions. He devotes a great deal of time to explaining how the uncertainty in our knowledge of the climate sensitivity could lead us to distrust the predictive power of our best tool for studying geoengineering, which is far from necessary. If we didn't believe the models, we wouldn't be worried about global warming in the first place. There's a story to tell even without lambasting the models: even in the middle range of climate sensitivity, society still faces potential catastrophe and a possible need for geoengineering.
Moreover, I dislike the idea of dividing geoengineering researchers into two camps, based on their leaning toward or away from calling geoengineering a necessity. I can understand that, for people not directly involved in the geoengineering debate, it can be helpful to have a general idea as to who is on which "side." However, even inside the debate, I've seen quite a few examples of misattribution of ideas based on the perception that someone belongs to a particular camp. I think that because the line of demarcation is too ill-defined, it's a bit premature to start assigning the researchers to one side or another. Kintisch does strongly make the point, and rather well, that nearly everyone in the geoengineering arena is calling for more research.
The book pleasantly ends with a lighter note. Hidden beneath the doomsaying is a faith in humanity, evidenced by his final anecdote, which is a success story. He seems to imply that, should we proceed with caution, foresight, and appropriate humility for our truly awesome subject, we may be able to understand geoengineering's role in making our climate better for all, whatever that role turns out to be.
This is an important read for anyone who wishes to enter the geoengineering debate. Maybe even an essential read. And certainly a fascinating one.
If you thought computer hacking was dangerous ... April 16, 2010
A. Siegel
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Geoengineering is getting increased attention within the scientific community and, increasingly, policy communities as the Global Warming picture becomes ever more dire and serious climate change mitigation action seems to becoming ever less a near-term likelihood.
Kintisch is an excellent writer who provides a review of the risks and, potentially, opportunities in the extreme option of geoengineering to avoid catastrophic climate chaos.
The search for the best worst-case solution to the climate crisis April 16, 2010
A. Wiener
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
Kintisch is a climate-writing triple threat: He knows the science as well as anyone, he can put the science in a political context, and he has a writing style that can turn an informative scientific survey into a page-turner. A very worthwhile read for anyone who wants ahead-of-the-curve knowledge of a subject that will be getting major public attention in the not-too-distant future.
A must read for anyone interested in climate change May 9, 2010
George Laugelli
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Eli Kintisch's new book is specifically about geoengineering but more generally about the current state of climate science. For anyone looking for a good first book to become acquainted with either of these topics I would absolutely recommend this one. The writing is simple without being simplistic. The book is filled with wonderfully interesting anecdotes that demonstrate how hard it is to foresee the consequences of climate change and attempts at changing the climate. What I got a better sense of from the book was how our view of the climate has evolved from seeing climate as a large ocean liner that changes course very slowly to a complex web of interconnected processes in which the smallest of changes can have very large consequences for the overall system. If nothing else, pick up the book and look at the pages in gray that precede each chapter. Each is a cautionary tale about the dangers of fooling around with Mother Nature. Entertaining and informative, this is a must read for anyone interested in our changing climate.
A important read for all May 17, 2010
A. Mercer
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Kintisch's, Hack the Planet, is a compelling read full of in-depth research illustrating the emerging field of geoengineering. This is an important read for anyone who is immersed in the climate science debate. This book fairly portrays the array of geoengineering or "earth hacking" ideas, using factual and compelling science. Kintisch avoids the hyperbolic and presents both the "red" and "blue" team perspectives, as well as a dose of editorial commentary throughout. His balance of technology as savior and as destroyer of worlds, makes this an important addition to understanding a controversial subject.
The science descriptions in the book are driven by a strong characterization of some of the preeminent personalities in the field. This is one of the more important contributions this book makes to the geoengineering discourse. Understanding who is driving the research, and not just the results, makes this an interesting insight into how science research really works. This book is not driven by the technical aspects of geoengineering (and at times may be a little light on these details), however, the reader will understand the breadth and complexity of "hacking the planet" and, hopefully, be shocked into further research into the scientific publications.
This book is relevant to everyone from the arm chair scientist, to the climate science researcher. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to see how far science can go and how important, yet dangerous, technological solutions can be. This book shows, in a clear way, what not dealing with the global warming may lead to and is an educational read for all.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
|
|
|
Disclaimer: This is an Amazon.com storefront - the products referenced
on this site are manufactured and sold by parties other than
CleanEnergyFacts.com
CleanEnergyFacts.com makes no representations regarding either the
products or any information vendors offer about their products.
Any questions, complaints, or claims regarding the products must be
directed to the appropriate manufacturer or vendor, or to Amazon.com |
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. The Solar Panel Store From CleanEnergyFacts.comInternational Orders & Shipping
We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.
Shipping Restrictions
Warranty issues and manufacturer restrictions prevent us from shipping certain products to all geographical locations. You'll be notified while placing your order if we're unable to ship specific items to the address you've selected.
International Addresses
The following items can be shipped to destinations outside the U.S.:
* books*
* DVDs
* music
* VHS videos
Additionally, some software, tools, and kitchen items can be shipped to the following countries:
* Australia
* Austria
* Denmark
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Japan
* Ireland
* Italy
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Sweden
* United Kingdom
These items can be shipped only via Priority International Shipping and are subject to an import fees deposit.
*Note: Books that require special handling because they are extremely heavy (for example, multi-volume sets) cannot be shipped outside the U.S. If this is the case, it will be noted on the product detail page.
When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Shipping date estimates will appear in the order form. After placing your order, you will see both shipping and delivery date estimates in the order confirmation e-mail and in the order summary in Your Account.
Calculating Cost
Shipping costs depend upon the method and option you choose.
If you choose to group items into as few shipments as possible, you'll be charged for one regular per-shipment fee, as well as a per-item fee for each item in that shipment.
If you choose to ship items as soon as they become available, we'll charge you full per-shipment fees for each shipment as well as a per-item fee for each item.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound. |
|
|
| |
