The World Tomorrow

by Yannick Monget

The author explores the actual threats we face on the brink of a global climate change. Six potential scenarios become reality in his illustrations created with up-to-the-minute visual effects techniques.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 081099318X
• ISBN13: 9780810993181
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.5" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Haunting and amazing, this perspective on our climate will stimulate discussion.

* With the disappearance of the Gulf Stream, Manhattan is surrounded by ice floes. * The capitol of the United States is reclaimed by deciduous forests. * Mt. Rushmore rises out of a desert. What? In The World Tomorrow, writer and artist Yannick Monget explores "what if". What if the Gulf Stream stops flowing? What if the sea level rises? What if the climate heats up? What if there are more major storms? Where did he get these ideas? "These are literal translations of various scenarios elaborated by researchers with, among other organizations, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change..." (p. 13). Monget takes photos of well-known landmarks, and modifies them to demonstrate visually the impacts of climatic change: * The cities of Pisa and Paris underwater. * Venice as a land suitable for camels. * "The Great Wall of China no longer divides anything but fields of dunes stretching as far as the eye can see" (p. 155). (very impressive). Scattered throughout are snippets taken from research, quotes from world leaders ("The challenge we face is nothing less than to ensure the survival of humanity." Mikheil Gorbechev), and photos of real life storms and other catastrophes. One error I noticed is on page 22, where Monget highlights a photo of "An awe-inspiring shot of massive forest fires in Northern California..." This is clearly southern California, with the Channel Islands featured predominantly. He ends with comments on "false solutions" (nuclear power, genetically modified organisms) and "real solutions" (energy conservation, organic farming, et cetera). Concluding, he states "Nonetheless, the clock is ticking. Climate change is taking place at this very moment. We must react as quickly as possible" (p. 180). This really is an intriguing book, with amazing photographs. Take a look.