Living in the Hothouse
Ian Lowe
‘The inescapable conclusion of Ian Lowe’s conversational style review of the scientific literature regarding the impacts of climate change in Australia is that not one single part of our ecosystem will remain untouched ... I can recommend this read, treat it as a fireside chat with an expert.’
Kathy Ridge (National Parks Journal)‘Ideologically-driven tirades or self-interested rationalisations by industry groups are in marked contrast to the balanced, intelligent and characteristically wry presentation of the topic [of global warming] in Ian Lowe’s latest publication Living in the Hothouse.’
Drew Hutton (Green)Living in the Hothouse ‘is probably the most accessible guide to how global warming, now an accepted proposition, will affect Australia ... surprisingly readable and not without the odd bit of humour.’
Phil Brown (Brisbane News)In Australia and around the world the signs of global warming are dramatic and disturbing. There can no longer be any question that climate change is happening, that it can be traced to human activity, and that we need to respond urgently if we are to prevent quite catastrophic changes to global systems. Ironically, despite our failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, Australia’s fragile environment leaves us extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Living in the Hothouse brings us up to date on how global warming has already started to affect us, and what the future holds. More severe bushfires, less water availability in southern Australia, more intense heat during summer, greater risk of insect-borne diseases, and a greater incidence of extreme weather including more rainfalls of flood proportions, longer and more intense droughts and more frequent and intense tropical cyclones affecting greater areas.
Professor Ian Lowe presents a clear and balanced explanation of the current scientific understanding of global warming, and its effects on Australia’s climate, land use, energy and water consumption, and on our economy, industry, agriculture and daily life. Living in the Hothouse challenges all Australians to face up to the changes which global warming is bringing, and to accept the responsibility for planning and creating a sustainable future.
Ian Lowe
Ian Lowe is president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, and is an Emeritus Professor of science, technology and society at Griffith University. An expert on global warming, he contributed to the United Nations-sponsored Inter-governmental Panel On Climate Change, and is the author or co-author of 16 other books. He lives in Brisbane.
Buy from Readings
Extent: 240pp
Size: 210mm x 135mm
ISBN (10): 1920769 412
ISBN (13): 9781920769413
RRP: $26.95
Pub date: May 2005
News