WithSpeedandViolenceWhyScientistsFearTip

Natureisfragile，environmentalistsoftentellus.Butthelessonofthisbookisthatitisnotso.Thetruthisfarmoreworrying.Natureisstrongandpacksaseriouscounterpunch...Globalwarmingwillveryprobablyunleashunstoppableplanetaryforces.Andtheywillnotbegradual.Thehistoryofourplanet'sclimateshowsthatitdoesnotdogradualchange.Underpressure，whetherfromsunspotsororbitalwobblesorthedepredationsofhumans，itlurches-virtuallyovernight.—fromtheIntroductionFredPearcehasbeenwritingaboutclimatechangeforeighteenyears，andthemorehelearns，theworsethingslook.Whereoncescientistswereconcernedaboutgradualclimatechange，nowmoreandmoreofthemfearwewillsoonbedealingwithabruptchangeresultingfromtriggeringhiddentippingpoints.EvenPresidentBush'stopclimatemodeler，JimHansen，warnedin2005that"weareontheprecipiceofclimatesystemtippingpointsbeyondwhichthereisnoredemption."AsPearcebeganworkingonthisbook，normallycautiousscientistsbeatapathtohisdoortotellhimabouttheirfearsandtheirlatestfindings.WithSpeedandViolencetellsthestoriesofthesescientistsandtheirwork-fromtheimplicationsofmeltingpermafrostinSiberiaandthehugeriversystemsofmeltwaterbeneaththeicecapsofGreenlandandAntarcticatotheeffectsofthe"oceanconveyor"andararemoleculethatrunsvirtuallytheentirecleanupsystemfortheplanet.Aboveall，thescientiststoldhimwhatthey'renowlearningaboutthespeedandviolenceofpastnaturalclimatechange-andwhatitportendsforourfuture.WithSpeedandViolenceisthemostup-to-dateandreadablebookyetaboutthegrowingevidenceforglobalwarmingandthelargeclimaticeffectsitmayunleash.