Resources: Reports, Booklets and Whitepapers
Last Update: 03.13.19
Arranged by date
Arranged by date
Climate Primer Posted 03/13/19
I have received an inquiry about a good, short source of information about climate science written by an expert and intended for the non-specialist. There is exactly such a source: CLIMATE SCIENCE AND CLIMATE RISK: A PRIMER.
It is written by Dr. Kerry Emanuel, a professor of atmospheric sciences at MIT and one of the leading climate scientists in the world. It is in the form of a 17 page PDF file and you can download it by clicking on the title above, or clicking on this link: ftp://texmex.mit.edu/pub/emanuel/PAPERS/Climate_Primer.pdf
I highly recommend it to readers of this website.
Act for Science Posted 2/22/17
How politically active should scientists be?
This topic has come to the fore because of the stance of the new Administration and Congress who seem to place little value on the importance of scientific research and its contribution to shaping policy. Even more recently, a “March for Science" has been announced on Earth Day, April 22nd. It will take place in Washington DC, but also in other locations. This has caused discussion among scientists about participation: is it a good idea or counter-productive?
More generally, how politically involved should scientists be, and what is the best way for them to be politically involved. In the January 10th, 2017 of SCIENCE magazine, there is an excellent Editorial by Rush Holt, a physicist, and member of Congress for 16 years and now the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the organization that publishes SCIENCE.
By the way, this same issue of SCIENCE has several other excellent articles on the role of Evidence. I have put my copy in the Atascadero Library but it is probably available at other libraries. Finally, I want to stress the important role that the AAAS plays in advocating for science, and I hope readers will consider becoming members of AAAS.
What We Know Posted 3/22/14
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2014, PDF, 28 pages
The AAAS is the largest scientific organization in the world. In 2014 the AAAS Climate Science Panel issued a booklet What We Know (PDF). In addition to reading the report, it is highly recommended that you examine the What We Know website devoted to this report and watch some of the interviews with the climate scientists involved. As an aside, here is an excellent What We Know video of an interview with University of Georgia's Director of Atmospheric Sciences Marshall Shepherd.
Our Changing Climate 2012: Vulnerability & Adaptation to the Increasing Risks from Climate Change in California
California Energy Commission, 2012, PDF, 16 pages
Produced by the California Institute of Energy and the Environment based in the University of California, this is summary report on the '2012 Vulnerability and Adaptation Study', California's third major assessment on climate change. The Third Assessment is provided by the California Energy Commission and its Climate Change Center. The complete Third Assessment is actually a series of 37 reports for the energy, water, agriculture, public health, coastal, transportation, and ecological resource sectors. Each sector is represented in this summary, highlighting significant climate impacts as reported in the assessment, along with color graphics making the data even more accessible. The assessment included a regional focus for the San Francisco Bay area, with 9 of the 37 reports dedicated to this region as well.
Climate Change: Evidence, Impacts and Choices
2012, National Academy of Sciences, 40 pages
National Research Council booklet presented in three parts that (1) summarizes the current state of knowledge about climate change; (2) explains some impacts expected in this century and beyond; and (3) examines how science can help inform choices about managing and reducing the risks posed by climate change.
Also see related:
Climate Change: Lines of Evidence Videos and Figure Gallery
and Skeptical Science article
Warming World: Impacts by Degree
National Academy of Sciences, 2011, PDF, 40 pages
Emissions of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels have ushered in a new epoch during which human activities will largely determine the evolution of Earth's climate. This booklet, based on the National Research Council report "Climate Stabilization Targets: Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts Over Decades to Millennia" (2011), outlines the scientific information that makes it clear that emission reductions today matter in determining impacts that will be experienced over the next few decades and into the coming centuries and millennia. The booklet explains how policy choices can be informed by recent advances in climate science that show the relationships among increasing carbon dioxide, global warming, related physical changes, and resulting impacts. Expected impacts are identified and quantified when possible, including impacts on stream flow, wildfires, crop productivity, the frequency of very hot summers, and sea-level rise and its associated risks and vulnerabilities.
Climate Change for Policymakers and Business Leaders
As of January 2013 this paper is unavailable.
February 2010, PDF file, 11 pages
Co-authored by PG&E Corporation Chairman, CEO and President Peter Darbee and Carnegie Institution climate change expert Dr. Christopher Field. "This paper, the product of a partnership between a science leader and a business leader, provides an interesting illustration of how science and policy interact. Science discovers facts and elucidates trends; it provides a window for understanding what is (e.g., the present climate and how it is changing), as well as a framework for projecting what will be (future climate change and associated risks). The policy decisions made by businesses and governments are based on science, but also on economic and human factors that are beyond the realm of science. This paper represents a merging of policy-relevant scientific information with policy conclusions based on that information and judgments about acceptable risks."
Also see PG&E's Environmental Commitment web page
Climate Stabilization Targets: Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts over Decades to Millennia
July 2010, National Research Council
This report was prepared by a group of 15 distinguished Climate Scientists led by Dr. Susan Solomon. Based on the best and most recent scientific research, the report analyzes the impacts upon the Earth and human society for a range of levels at which the CO2 concentration in our atmosphere is stabilized and the associated range of the resultant increase in global temperatures. The entire report may be downloaded free of charge by going to Prepublication PDFs, but the entire document is very long. I suggest you only download the Executive Summary, which gives a clear picture of the conclusions of the full report.
The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism
December 2010, PDF, 16 pages
This 16 page booklet might better be titled "The Scientific Guide to Talking to Global Warming Skeptics". It addresses the most common misconceptions about climate science, with clever and useful illustrations. It is intended especially for high school and college science teachers, but is recommended for everyone.
The Copenhagen Diagnosis: Updating the World on the Latest Climate Science 2009
November 2009, PDF file, 64 pages
Prepared by 26 authors. This booklet does exactly what the subtitle suggests. The 2007 IPCC report reviewed the scientific literature on climate change through 2005. Since 2005 there have been significant advances in all aspects of climate science. This report, put together by an international team of 26 of the world's leading climate scientists, updates these scientific advances, accompanied by some beautiful photographs. Readers of either the Mann & Krump book or those reading the lessons in the Tutorials in this website should be able to understand most of this material.
Understanding and Responding to Climate Change - Highlights of National Academies Reports - 2008
PDF file, 28 pages
A comprehensive and easy-to-read analysis of findings and recommendations from National Academies reports on climate change.
I have received an inquiry about a good, short source of information about climate science written by an expert and intended for the non-specialist. There is exactly such a source: CLIMATE SCIENCE AND CLIMATE RISK: A PRIMER.
It is written by Dr. Kerry Emanuel, a professor of atmospheric sciences at MIT and one of the leading climate scientists in the world. It is in the form of a 17 page PDF file and you can download it by clicking on the title above, or clicking on this link: ftp://texmex.mit.edu/pub/emanuel/PAPERS/Climate_Primer.pdf
I highly recommend it to readers of this website.
Act for Science Posted 2/22/17
How politically active should scientists be?
This topic has come to the fore because of the stance of the new Administration and Congress who seem to place little value on the importance of scientific research and its contribution to shaping policy. Even more recently, a “March for Science" has been announced on Earth Day, April 22nd. It will take place in Washington DC, but also in other locations. This has caused discussion among scientists about participation: is it a good idea or counter-productive?
More generally, how politically involved should scientists be, and what is the best way for them to be politically involved. In the January 10th, 2017 of SCIENCE magazine, there is an excellent Editorial by Rush Holt, a physicist, and member of Congress for 16 years and now the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the organization that publishes SCIENCE.
By the way, this same issue of SCIENCE has several other excellent articles on the role of Evidence. I have put my copy in the Atascadero Library but it is probably available at other libraries. Finally, I want to stress the important role that the AAAS plays in advocating for science, and I hope readers will consider becoming members of AAAS.
What We Know Posted 3/22/14
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2014, PDF, 28 pages
The AAAS is the largest scientific organization in the world. In 2014 the AAAS Climate Science Panel issued a booklet What We Know (PDF). In addition to reading the report, it is highly recommended that you examine the What We Know website devoted to this report and watch some of the interviews with the climate scientists involved. As an aside, here is an excellent What We Know video of an interview with University of Georgia's Director of Atmospheric Sciences Marshall Shepherd.
Our Changing Climate 2012: Vulnerability & Adaptation to the Increasing Risks from Climate Change in California
California Energy Commission, 2012, PDF, 16 pages
Produced by the California Institute of Energy and the Environment based in the University of California, this is summary report on the '2012 Vulnerability and Adaptation Study', California's third major assessment on climate change. The Third Assessment is provided by the California Energy Commission and its Climate Change Center. The complete Third Assessment is actually a series of 37 reports for the energy, water, agriculture, public health, coastal, transportation, and ecological resource sectors. Each sector is represented in this summary, highlighting significant climate impacts as reported in the assessment, along with color graphics making the data even more accessible. The assessment included a regional focus for the San Francisco Bay area, with 9 of the 37 reports dedicated to this region as well.
Climate Change: Evidence, Impacts and Choices
2012, National Academy of Sciences, 40 pages
National Research Council booklet presented in three parts that (1) summarizes the current state of knowledge about climate change; (2) explains some impacts expected in this century and beyond; and (3) examines how science can help inform choices about managing and reducing the risks posed by climate change.
Also see related:
Climate Change: Lines of Evidence Videos and Figure Gallery
and Skeptical Science article
Warming World: Impacts by Degree
National Academy of Sciences, 2011, PDF, 40 pages
Emissions of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels have ushered in a new epoch during which human activities will largely determine the evolution of Earth's climate. This booklet, based on the National Research Council report "Climate Stabilization Targets: Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts Over Decades to Millennia" (2011), outlines the scientific information that makes it clear that emission reductions today matter in determining impacts that will be experienced over the next few decades and into the coming centuries and millennia. The booklet explains how policy choices can be informed by recent advances in climate science that show the relationships among increasing carbon dioxide, global warming, related physical changes, and resulting impacts. Expected impacts are identified and quantified when possible, including impacts on stream flow, wildfires, crop productivity, the frequency of very hot summers, and sea-level rise and its associated risks and vulnerabilities.
Climate Change for Policymakers and Business Leaders
As of January 2013 this paper is unavailable.
February 2010, PDF file, 11 pages
Co-authored by PG&E Corporation Chairman, CEO and President Peter Darbee and Carnegie Institution climate change expert Dr. Christopher Field. "This paper, the product of a partnership between a science leader and a business leader, provides an interesting illustration of how science and policy interact. Science discovers facts and elucidates trends; it provides a window for understanding what is (e.g., the present climate and how it is changing), as well as a framework for projecting what will be (future climate change and associated risks). The policy decisions made by businesses and governments are based on science, but also on economic and human factors that are beyond the realm of science. This paper represents a merging of policy-relevant scientific information with policy conclusions based on that information and judgments about acceptable risks."
Also see PG&E's Environmental Commitment web page
Climate Stabilization Targets: Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts over Decades to Millennia
July 2010, National Research Council
This report was prepared by a group of 15 distinguished Climate Scientists led by Dr. Susan Solomon. Based on the best and most recent scientific research, the report analyzes the impacts upon the Earth and human society for a range of levels at which the CO2 concentration in our atmosphere is stabilized and the associated range of the resultant increase in global temperatures. The entire report may be downloaded free of charge by going to Prepublication PDFs, but the entire document is very long. I suggest you only download the Executive Summary, which gives a clear picture of the conclusions of the full report.
The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism
December 2010, PDF, 16 pages
This 16 page booklet might better be titled "The Scientific Guide to Talking to Global Warming Skeptics". It addresses the most common misconceptions about climate science, with clever and useful illustrations. It is intended especially for high school and college science teachers, but is recommended for everyone.
The Copenhagen Diagnosis: Updating the World on the Latest Climate Science 2009
November 2009, PDF file, 64 pages
Prepared by 26 authors. This booklet does exactly what the subtitle suggests. The 2007 IPCC report reviewed the scientific literature on climate change through 2005. Since 2005 there have been significant advances in all aspects of climate science. This report, put together by an international team of 26 of the world's leading climate scientists, updates these scientific advances, accompanied by some beautiful photographs. Readers of either the Mann & Krump book or those reading the lessons in the Tutorials in this website should be able to understand most of this material.
Understanding and Responding to Climate Change - Highlights of National Academies Reports - 2008
PDF file, 28 pages
A comprehensive and easy-to-read analysis of findings and recommendations from National Academies reports on climate change.