Currents of Change: Impacts of El Nino and La Nina on Climate and Society

Description

Droughts, hurricanes and floods are generated worldwide by the periodic warming and cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean's surface waters. El Nino's impacts are now widely known, but the equally serious consequences of its counterpart, La Nina, are only now being highlighted. Although both phenomena have generally been associated with death and destruction, there are benefits in understanding more about their occurrence, their strength and their impacts worldwide, so that their worst effects can be forecast and mitigated. This new edition of Currents of Change explains in simple terms what El Nino and La Nina are and how they can be forecast. Examining for the first time the major El Nino of 1997-1998, this book explores what we can learn from past events, what we can do to ameliorate the worst excesses of these phenomena and how climate change might affect them in future decades.

From reviews of the first edition: '... for atmospheric scientists, the book provides a meaningful perspective of the human component of the phenomena described. For the social scientist, it is an account of El Nino that will help clear up any misrepresentations derived from popular accounts. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.' John Oliver, International Journal of Climatology 'This book is well written, well illustrated and manages to convey a lot of important facts without 'technospeak'. It can be recommended to anyone requiring an introduction to the complexities ... of climate.' Elmar R. Reiter, Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics '... an absorbing book.' George Philander, Nature '... Michael H. Glantz delivers more than a description of a major climatic phenomenon and its impacts: he presents a case study of science at work, and also shows how to make a book readable.' Lothar Luken, Earthwatch 'Glantz is a passionate advocate of the value of climate research and his book should be compulsory reading for politicians and funding agency heads anywhere. It also provides background material that will be useful to geography and environmental science students and should appeal to anyone interested in the human dimension of climate'. J. C. King, Weather 'An excellent book to be recommended to anyone.' Bulletin of the British Ecological Society '... this book should be essential reading for politicians and well as ecologists.' John Feltwell, Biologist 'A mine of information for those not up to speed on the phenomena, this book should be essential reading for politicians and well as ecologists.' Biologist '... an excellent introduction to the subject for a nonscientist, or an interesting bit of entertainment for the enthusiastic scientist who just can't leave the subject alone.' Mike Meredith, Ocean Challenge