We stand at the threshold of major changes in the earth's atmosphere, facing serious challenges from acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming. Continually acted on by natural forces, the atmosphere has always been in a state of flux, but in the last decades the problems of atmospheric change have been gravely exacerbated by pollution resulting from human activities. In this important book, a widely known authority in atmospheric research describes the causes of acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming and the ...
Read More
We stand at the threshold of major changes in the earth's atmosphere, facing serious challenges from acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming. Continually acted on by natural forces, the atmosphere has always been in a state of flux, but in the last decades the problems of atmospheric change have been gravely exacerbated by pollution resulting from human activities. In this important book, a widely known authority in atmospheric research describes the causes of acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming and the evidence for each one's recent acceleration, and he provides practical and long-range suggestions for controlling these and other forms of atmospheric deterioration. In clear and accessible language, John Firor discusses how the emission of sulfur and nitrogen substances into the air leads to acid rain, how the release of chlorine-bearing gases into the air causes destruction of ozone in the high atmosphere, and how the addition of infrared trapping gases to the atmosphere restricts the loss of radiation from the earth and thus leads to a heating of the climate. Firor argues that although it is almost impossible to bring the spread of chemicals into the air to a complete halt, steps to slow air pollution are technically feasible and in many cases economically beneficial. He describes these strategies, cautioning that they must be coordinated with a larger goal of lessening the toal impact human activities have on the earth. According to Firor, we can work toward this goal by attempting to stabilize populations (in the developed as well as the developing world), protect forests, encourage the use of modern energy-efficient technology in Third World countries (and the United States), and reduce poverty worldwide.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name-GOOD Standard-sized.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
HARDCOVER Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name-GOOD Standard-sized.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
UsedVeryGood. Hardcover; light fading, light shelf wear to exterior; otherwise in very go od condition with clean text, firm binding. Dust jacket, light fading, ligh t shelf wear.
Although this book was first published in 1990, it still provides a very clear and readable introduction to how scientists figured out that we are changing our own climate. The late Dr. Firor, for many years the director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, was ahead of his time in understanding the importance of climate change. His clear and very readable explanations are highly recommended to those interested in the topic.
