cover image Heated Debate: Greenhouse Predictions Versus Climate Reality

Heated Debate: Greenhouse Predictions Versus Climate Reality

Robert C. Balling. Pacific Research Institute, $21.95 (195pp) ISBN 978-0-936488-47-9

In the debate over the effect of global warming caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, one side warns of catastrophe while the other believes that the warming will be moderate. Among the latter is the author, director of the Office of Climatology at Arizona State University. In reaching his conclusion, he uses both climate models and historical records, noting that the last 100 years have seen a 40% increase in CO2, a 4.4 rise in sea level and a temperature rise of 0.7 F. Given a doubling of CO2 in the next half-century, he predicts a 1.8 F rise in temperature, a 2%-5% increase in precipitation and a slight rise in sea level. He suggests warming will occur at night, in high-latitude locations, probably in winter. The book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of climate change. Illustrations. Conservative Book Club al ter nate. (Apr . )