The Atlas
of Climate Change. Mapping the Worlds
Greatest Challenge
by Kirstin Dow and
Thomas E. Downing
University of California Press, Berkeley,
2006
112 pp., illus. col.
ISBN: 0-520-25023-0.
Reviewed by Stefaan Van Ryssen
Hogeschool Gent
Belgium
stefaan.vanryssen@hogent.be
Visualising climate change is an ambitious
undertaking. Numerous interlocking processes
are involved and causes and effects are
often engaged in dynamic feedback loops.
For practically every aspect, an animated
simulation might do the trick very well,
as data are constantly changing and static
representations are sometimes difficult
to read. Anyway, Kirstin Dow and Thomas
Downing chose to compile a state-of-the
art atlas instead, and with success. Doubtlessly,
they will have to revise this volume every
two years or so, or even sooner, as more
research is done and better models are
developed every other day. But even if
this book will age quickly, it has more
merits than shortcomings.
The atlas is organised in seven logically
ordered chapters, from the earliest signs
like glacial retreat and polar changes
to expected consequences and possible
policies. Each chapter offers a number
of thoroughly commented maps, images and
graphics to illustrate the relevant topics.
Sometimes, like on the topic of cultural
losses, an interesting and wide-ranging
selection is made, without any pretence
of exhaustivity. Most topics are dealt
with in a single spread, with some text,
a map and some statistic data. References
and detailed data are given in annexes,
so as not to overload the page. But the
data are as recent as one might expect
for a book of this kind and the science
is rigorous as well as intelligibly explained.
On certain topics, the authors have chosen
to stick to facts rather than take sides
with one or the other party. For example,
on the page on International Action where
the Kyoto countries are shown, the caption
reads Most countries have acknowledged
the problem of climate change by signing
the Convention on Climate Change
(p. 71). And the comment adds: The
USA and Australia have signed the Convention
but not the [Kyoto] Protocol, creating
uncertainty around the next steps.
(p.70) Surely this is a very diplomatic
statement. Moreover, there is neither
mention of the dissent within the named
countries nor a hint of a political analysis
as to why they havent signed the
Protocol.
Educators, activists and everyone concerned
with the subject (not to mention anyone
who simply likes maps) may want to acquire
this book and add the numerous references
to websites and other resources to their
list of bookmarks.