Greenhouse: The 200-Year Story of Global Warming

by Gale E. Christianson

Book Overview

Greenhouse is the illuminating history behind a scientific idea that fills's today's headlines. Christianson, author of Edwin Hubble: Mariner of the Nebulae, blends the research of a scholar with a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802713467
• ISBN13: 9780802713469
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Walker & Company
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating Historical & Current Global Warming Overview

Dr Gale Christianson, a Distinguished Professor of Arts and Science and a history teacher at Indiana State U. is well suited to write on the history and science of global warming. This book is a one-stop-shop for all aspects of global warming and is approachable by a general audience. I just knew this would be a good read by his quote from William Shakespeare, The Tempest: "HOW CAM'ST THOU IN THIS PICKLE?" (page before the index). Indeed! How did we find ourselves in the 21st century- the supposedly enlightened times of vast scientific knowledge about the effects and dynamics of just about everything, sweating-out the rapidly increasing global temperature and it's deleterious effects on all life? Currently, the problem is not science, for as we see in this comprehensive study of global warming, the issue has been on the table for centuries and that part is fascinating! Christianson has done a remarkable job of assembling a wide range of historical data on the effects of global warming from early Europeans to the American Indians and more. The on-set of the industrial revolution kicks the study into high gear and biologist, anthropologist, meteorologist, historians, et al., will no-doubt appreciate the wide perspective. The current debate about whether the daily activities of now billions of humans can alter the climate, let alone environmental processes, has become a ludicrous statement about our collective penchant for denial as the operative factor in approaching (or resisting approaching) this critical stage in our evolution. Of course we can and do effect the climate- 6+ billion of any sizable mammal can do that and while doing nothing more than breathing, eating and defecating! Of course, we humans do a heck-of-a-lot more. Virtually everything we do creates heat and the worst forms of it are those that contribute to the greenhouse effect by sending heat trapping carbon dioxide into the air. And who is willing to stand-up in the face of a preponderance of historical and current data on human caused global warming, anymore? Looking at those whose activities earn lots of money from producing greenhouse gases certainly have a financial stake in denial, but how about those anthropocentrics who think we humans are infallible and can do no wrong? Sheesh! Whatever camp one is in, this book will demonstrate the science of global warming in all aspects and hopefully, with this knowledge, we begin to do something historically different- alter our ways! Like an ancient Chinese Proverb states, "If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed." And in this case, it's toast! (Proverb seen in Duane Elgin's book, "Promise Ahead").

Excellent book on a sobering subject

I highly recommend this well-written, exhaustively researched history of global warming. The author takes us on the path of energy use by Western societies, in particular Britain and Europe, that began about 200 years ago with the insatiable burning of coal. Back then, for a while, at least, people acted out of ignorance when it came to consuming carbon-generating energy sources, although the asphyxiating fogs that beset some British cities ought to have been a wake-up call at the time. Today, according to the author (and I agree), there is sufficient evidence that we are continuing to warm the planet at an alarming, unsustainable rate. Christianson offers a balanced, intellectual rather than emotional treatment of the greenhouse gas emission issues. I pray that at least some of the world's leaders in government and industry read this book, or allow themselves to be influenced by others who accept Christianson's story and what it portends.

A great synopsis...

Gale Christianson gives a wonderful, dynamic historical account of global warming. Gale addresses so many aspects of the controversy we now know as global warming its difficult to summarize them. She explores 16th and 17th century scientists and their discoveries about the world, from evolution to the impacts of pollution, to the creation of the coal-burning engines that caused England to erect higher and higher smokestacks believing that the smoke would simply float away into the atmosphere. Gale also speaks of the global climate changes that have occurred across the history of humankind as we know it. She explains the tortuous trip that brought the Vikings to settle in Greenland, and the climate shifts that ceased their existence on the frosty continent. She explores the history of the Anasazi and the changes in their biospheres that chased them from their homes built high in the Southwestern US. Gale explains all the differing theories that address the effects of global warming, ending with the fact that we don't really know what the impact will be in the future. She dialogues the negotiations that occurred in Kyoto Japan and the political atmosphere that makes reductions in emissions so difficult. A wonderful account, reads like a novel with dynamic characters, interesting plot changes, and mysteries that may never be solved. Although it does not bring to light anything new to explain global warming, it is a superb overview of global warming as we know it, and why it is such a controversy today.

Such a great book, so little interest...Why?

A beautiful book full of understanding and love for the planet. Somehow I had a sense of dread going into this that what I would find would confirm many of the ideas in Al Gore's great "Earth in the Balance," and in fact they site many of the same research studies and conclusions. And the last chapter of the book details why it is so necessary for government to be responsive and take a leadership role in caring for what we have left of our great inheritance of land, air and water. I loved the fascinating history of our planetary environment from back in the 18th and 19th century when men were sure that the answer to bad air was simply building a taller smokestack, all the way to Kyoto, where the Oil companies, in tandem with Republican Congressonal majority maneuvers, tried to sabotage any efforts at cleaning up the environment, and largely succeeded. Now all we have left are the powerful forces of greed: Big Oil and Chemical money (read how they pandered scientists to join them against the Kyoto accords) against the fishes, the animals, the trees, and the health of humanity and our children and grandchildren. How can fish fight Big Oil company money and the politicians they control?I fear for our planet. We are on a slippery slope and big money--the attitude of "get yours and get out" may carry the day. "Nature never deceives us. It is always we who deceive ourselves." Rousseau

A Delight to my Historical Senses

I have just finished reading Gale's book, and I say that with much sadness, because I have enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to finish. I work in the field of climate change, so I make to my business to keep up-to-date. Gale is certainly accurate. His historical approach is also quite delightful - if only other historians had such an easy touch. His story of how we came to use fossil fuels and how we came to understand their impact on our atmosphere is fascinating, rich, full of intriguing detail, and from my viewpoint, very well researched. There is nothing hysterical about this book - just honest, insightful, delightful reporting. I might just read it all over again !