A Climate For Life Meeting the Global Challenge

About this book

This lavishly illustrated book focuses on the global challenge of climate change and what we can do now and in the coming decades to dramatically reduce risks to human health, economic prosperity, and the planet’s irreplaceable biodiversity. In particular, it looks at the threats to biodiversity and human survival, the abundance of nature-based and technological solutions now available, and the need for rapid and continuous action on all fronts. With a comprehensive introduction written by a distinguished group of scientists led by Russell A. Mittermeier, President of Conservation International, and a foreword by Harrison Ford and Edward O. Wilson, A Climate for Life focuses on some of the most important challenges facing life on our planet.

A Climate for Life provides a message that places the risk of climate destabilization by humans in context by clarifying how its causes, impacts, and solutions derive from the intricate and delicate balance between modern society and the natural world. The expert authors examine a wide range of climate issues, with particular emphasis on how natural environments can contribute to and benefit from measures to address climate change, while the world-renowned photographers provide breathtaking evidence for the urgency of our cause.

Ten chapters cover the foremost climate issues, including how the world’s forests, important as carbon sinks, are being rapidly deforested; how both avoided deforestation and reforestation are key actions for stabilizing the global climate; how areas of threatened biodiversity are adapting to climate change, some more successfully than others; what role our oceans play as climate change raises temperatures globally; the impact on freshwater systems; what happens globally as polar areas warm and melt; and how humans face mounting risks from an overheated atmosphere, particularly in developing countries.

And yet there is considerable hope. Incredible technological innovations are moving us towards zero net energy buildings, zero emission cars and factories, global-scale harnessing of competitive wind and solar power and other renewable energy options, thus reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. These reductions, in conjunction with strategies to prevent deforestation and land degradation, offer economically and ecologically attractive means of stabilizing the Earth’s climate. Conservation efforts will buffer protected areas and ensure that habitats are preserved and species can migrate to adapt, and developing countries will be able to ensure sustainable livelihoods for their citizens without jeopardizing their most precious resources.

Powerfully illustrated with 175 photographs by some of the world’s foremost photographers, the book graphically illustrates the concepts in each chapter. Additionally, ten photographers are featured as “Eyewitnesses to Change.” Their firsthand experiences in the field are documented through a portfolio of their images and firsthand account of their experiences. The list of noted photographers includes Frans Lanting, James Balog, and Joel Sartore, among others.

We have the capacity to destroy or to safeguard the biodiversity on our planet. It is within our grasp to adapt to the conditions we have created and to mitigate our impact on the future. Now is the time to engage our intellect, develop solutions, and implement the actions needed to ensure a stable climate for the future – A Climate For Life.

Contents

Foreword - Harrison Ford and Edward O. Wilson   11
Introduction   19

I: Mitigation - Mitigating climate change   43
Chapter 1. Energy efficiency   49
   Eyewitness to Change: Sarah Leen   65
Chapter 2. Renewable energy   71
Chapter 3. Biofuels   93
   Eyewitness to Change: Joel Sartore   115
Chapter 4. Forest Conservation   121
   Eyewitness to Change: Tim Laman   143
   Eyewitness to Change: Daniel Beltrá   149
Chapter 5. Reforestation and agroforestry   155
   Eyewitness to Change: Cristina Mittermeier   177

II: Adaption - Adapting to climate change   183
Chapter 6. Terrestrial biodiversity   189
   Eyewitness to Change: Frans Lanting   207
Chapter 7. Freshwater biodiversity   217
   Eyewitness to Change: Michael Forsberg   235
Chapter 8. The role of oceans   247
   Eyewitness to Change: Paul Nicklen   267
Chapter 9. Human dimensions   277
   Eyewitness to Change: John Stanmeyer   297
Chapter 10. Tipping points   303
   Eyewitness to Change: James Balog   319
Conclusion: A call to action   325

References   342
Glossary   350
List of contributors   355
Lead authors   356
Featured photographers   358

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