Introduction to Modern Climate Change

By Andrew Dessler (2015)

This is an accessible textbook which walks the reader through the fundamental science and politics of climate change. Dessler is a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University and previously served as senior policy analyst in the White House during the last year of the Clinton administration.

This is one of the best books I have read on the science of climate change. It is clearly written, contains simple explanations, and does a fantastic job of helping the reader understand the basic physics underlying the greenhouse effect. The book goes on to cover the carbon cycle, climate feedbacks, sources of emissions, and the possible future scenarios of warming and physical change. Dessler also provides a brief history of climate science, politics, and solutions.

Parts of the textbook do require a basic grasp of physics but the arguments can be understood without the numbers. For those who want to gain a deeper understanding of climate change and the greenhouse effect, ‘Modern Climate Change’ does a fantastic job. I would highly recommend a read. This was a key resource in helping me piece together the physical science in net-zero.

*Book cover credit: Alice Soloway

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