Ebook: Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change

In 2006, it was estimated that nearly 29 million pounds of carbon dioxide were emitted into Earth's atmosphere. This number is extremely alarming in terms of the issues of global climate change. It is now widely believed that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are trapped within the Earth's atmosphere therefore resulting in dangerous effects to life on the planet. Rising temperatures, severe drought, extinction of certain species, and melting to ice sheets and glaciers are only a handful of negative consequences provoked by global climate change.
Author Elizabeth Kolbert addresses the issues of global climate change in her book entitled, Field Notes From a Catastrophe. The book consists of two sections: the first segment`s focal point is evidence of the phenomenon occurring in nature. The second half of the book explores the human activity that has contributed to global warming and whether or not the proper action is being taken to reduce what has already occurred. Despite the issues' complexity, the book is simplistic enough for first time exposure to the issue, yet still provides great insight for those well informed on the topic.
As previously mentioned, the first half of the book focuses the causes and effects from global climate change. Kolbert takes a trip around the world to experience the direct effects of climate change firsthand. Her journey begins in Shishmaref, Alaska where she encounters two main positive feedback loops that have become detrimental to the environment. The first feedback loops can be found in rapid melting of the glaciers. As the glaciers are continuing to melt, sea levels are rising and thus flooding the coastal regions. Humans who once inhabited these areas have now been forced to find homes farther inland. The second loop is a product of the melting permafrost which is releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect. A similar occurrence is taking place in Greenland where glaciers are rapidly melting as well. This fresh water released from these glaciers is altering ocean currents and thus causing climates to be colder or warmer. In addition to melting of glaciers, Kolbert emphasizes the migration of animal's species northward and the extinction of others due to increased temperatures.
Although Kolbert doesn't directly state causes to global climate change, she includes a chapter about human influence on the environment. Carbon emissions from humans were historically stable until we reached our industrialized era. Once our society became more developed, our carbon dioxide emissions doubled. This is detrimental to life on Earth since this carbon is trapped inside our atmosphere and not only increasing global temperatures but also burning a hole in our ozone layer. This is a huge concern since ozone absorbs harmful rays emitted from the sun that are detrimental to human life.
The second half of Kolbert's book discusses how human influences have contributed to global climate and actions that are being taken to reduce its effects. This half begins by exploring the theory that ancient civilizations, such as the Mayans and Shekhna, experienced the tragic effects of global warming as well. Evidence posed by scientists show patterns of droughts in these areas whose severity ultimately lead to wiping out the entire population of humans and species. Now that both current and historical evidence have been factored into proving the phenomenon, Kolbert asks what is exactly being done to combat this? The answer to this is complicated with remainder of the book highlighting various actions taken by different counties.
In the Netherlands for example, the issue of global climate change is being embraced. Recently, the country has experienced reoccurring patterns of widespread flooding in which new innovations are being made to construct roads and homes that have the ability to float. It has been recognized that humans need to give more room to rivers rather than trying to push them back. Not all countries are making great efforts however. In theory, the United States is addressing the issue, however actions prove otherwise. When the Kyoto Protocol, a plan presented by the UN for industrialized countries to reduce emission of greenhouse gases, was introduced, the U.S. rejected the plan within 24 hours of its proposal. In addition politicians such as George W. Bush have proposed plans that would help greenhouse emissions steadily decline, yet the United State's emissions have only shown patterns of continuous increase. Hopefully this pattern will soon change.
Overall, the book is well worth reading. Kolbert's main argument about the reality of global warming is backed by strong, credible evidence. What makes the evidence so strong and credible is a handful of factors. First, Kolbert herself visited places all around the globe from Alaska to the Netherlands, to Greenland and Washington D.C., just to name a few. In visiting all these places, Kolbert proves that climate change is indeed a global issue that is in desperate need of more attention. In addition to traveling to such places Kolbert conducts many interviews with not only a number of experts but locals as well. Between her personal experience, science, and other's observations Kolbert provides many different viewpoints on the issue that all have the same conclusions: global climate change is a real thing. In this, Kolbert offers an array of perspectives on the matter rather than just one to prove her point.
Another factor that contributes to the book's excellence is the way in which the book was written. Specifically, the language and organization throughout the book make it an easy read. The way in which Kolbert wrote the book breaks the problem down enough for the common reader to understand yet is still well written enough for even the informed reader. As far as organization goes, Kolbert first focuses on global warming and its effects, then proceeds in the second half to talk about actions being taken to reduce the problem. Structuring the book in the manner sucks a reader in. If the two sections were to have been reversed, solutions then problems, a reader would have been less connected with the problem and the book would have been much more difficult to get through.
One additional factor that made the book appealing was the United State's reaction to the phenomenon. Kolbert discusses how historically and currently the U.S. has been the largest emitter of greenhouse gages, yet we are lagging in taking responsibility for it. Kolbert argues that because the U.S. is the biggest contributor that they are the ones who should be leading the fight against global climate change. She points out that the U.S. has the ability to set examples for the rest of the world, especially for other industrialized countries like China. She makes an excellent point that the goal of every country is to modernize like the United State yet if they were to follow the same patterns as the United States, humankind and the Earth would be in tremendous trouble. Ultimately, The U.S. needs to start taking advantage of its leading role and put it to good use and needs to do it sooner rather than later.