The Forgiving Air: Understanding Environmental Change (2nd ed.)

Citation

(2009), "The Forgiving Air: Understanding Environmental Change (2nd ed.)", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 18 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2009.07318cae.006

The Forgiving Air: Understanding Environmental Change (2nd ed.)

The Forgiving Air: Understanding Environmental Change (2nd ed.)

Article Type: Book reviews From: Disaster Prevention and Management, Volume 18, Issue 3

Richard C.J. Somerville,American Meteorological Society,Boston, MA,www.ametsoc.org2008,202 pp.,ISBN 978-1-878220-85-1,$22 (paperback)

This readable, entertaining guide for the educated layperson covers all things atmospheric, from the ozone hole to acid rain to topics such as climate change, smog, and sulfates. Somerville finds reason for optimism in the way that the issue of the “ozone hole” has been dealt with.

“In the case of stratospheric ozone”, he writes, “the problem was quickly recognized, and decisive action did eventually occur”.

Although that approach offers hope for dealing with pressing problems of the future, Somerville warns that we will “be concerned with determining which actions are wise and prudent, given incomplete scientific information.”

“In some cases, there may still be time enough to act to avoid serious planetary change.”