In a time of climate crisis, with the dire consequences of continued neglect, indifference or fatuous denial, there is little more pressing than an understanding of how the climate works. We all need to know this; we need a factual basis on which to challenge our political "leaders" in order to tackle the existential crisis of our time.
Paul I. Palmer has produced a terrific book enabling us to do just that. As a scientist he delivers climate facts, untarnished by opinion, speculation or bias, without political attribution or blame, in a manner that is accessible to the reader lacking scientific training or prior knowledge. The text is presented in easily readable fashion (although I had to go over a couple of sections a second time!), and chapter builds on chapter, truth builds on truth, plausibility conquers doubt.
Palmer moves us along effortlessly through chapters on Temperature, Energy, Air, Water, Cycles, Time, and Uncertainty. One topic slides seamlessly and builds onto the next. You really do get a sense that you are starting to understand the complexities of climate science in a way that enables you to enter the conversation at a different, more detailed level.
Every reputable climate scientist in the entire world agrees that the crisis is real. It is not a hoax, it is not "just a cycle." It is happening now, literally daily in the Anthropocene and affects us all. The background rate of extinction is one to ten thousand times the historical record, and greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are ballooning. Carbon dioxide alone exceeds by 32% the start of the industrial age; methane pours into the atmosphere from melting permafrost and belching livestock. We know what is happening, we are crystal clear what it will likely portend for the future, yet we are reluctant to act in any meaningful way. Summers are becoming hotter, with each season setting a new record for heat, wildfires burn out of control, floods and drought decimate landscapes, one hundred year storms become five or ten year events.
In the face of this overwhelming, irrefutable evidence the leader of the largest per capita polluter in the word denies that the climate crisis is real, and actively promotes actions to reverse the minimal progress that has already been made, aggressively reinforcing and expanding the use of fossil fuels and cancelling clean energy projects and installations. It defies logic at even the basic level. It is madness writ large.
Palmer has written a book that is a product of its time. It is much needed, welcome, educational, eye-opening; indeed it is vital.
Don’t imagine for a moment that you cannot make a difference in your own life. Small actions by many produce major results. Now it’s up to you.
How Our Climate Works: A Brief Guide In Seven Lessons - Princeton University Press
Paul I. Palmer
Hardcover - US$27.95 - ISBN: 9780691181257
296 pages - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.75 x 21.25 cm)
4 black-and-white illustrations
Publication date: 22 September, 2026
I am using less and less plastic now..and refuse to buy anything that are overpacked with plastic. Always carry my fabric bag with me when I go to markets.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting book. The climate is changing, we had here a very hot summer. Have a nice day ! Greets
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, trying to do my small part.
ReplyDeleteThe argument has been ongoing for decades and people who were scorned for supporting it have been proved correct, sadly. Is is possible now to make a substantive difference? Well, we surely cannot just give in to it.
ReplyDeleteThere are parts of the world where not only are we giving in, we are denying the crisis at the highest levels of government, and actively reversing clean energy, electric cars, increasing fossil fuel production and consumption, rolling back environmental protections - and so it goes.
DeleteI think Palmer's book highlights policy-makers' irresponsibility in the most developed countries. How can they continue to say it "just a cycle"? I would have never thought that CO2 alone has increase by 32% since tale 1700s.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned, each season sets new record for high temperature and high level of humidity. I went to the beach this morning, and while I was swimming I noticed the water was too hot. Then, after swimming, I measured it: 28 degrees celsius. Mediterranean sea's water has never been so warm.
I'll read that interesting guide on how climate works.
Petr Macinka should read this book. Donald Trump and his Christian fascist pals should read this book. Although with all these political grifters, I am absolutely certain they know that climate crisis is a serious issue... they're just too psychopathic to care. Having studied climate change at university for years, I have to say I'm very concerned. The future doesn't look nice.
ReplyDeleteThe big question is mostly what to do and how to do it. Some people promote planting trees... oh, as if that will really help. Fossil fuels really need to be left in the ground. I came to the conclusion that we need to radically rebuild our while society years ago. But how to get out of the mess we currently have... well, I hope we can.
Books like this need to be advertised more and should be available everywhere. Maybe a certain part of our society wouldn't be so daftly ignorant then.
I have just one question: Can a book on climate really be published without political attribution or bias? Isn't everything inherently political? I always say to people that the very way we cross the zebra is political. Science is a creative human activity under the influence of politics, culture, economy etc., as S. J. Gould and many others taught us. Doesn't a book on climate that is attempting to be apolitical limit itself too much? Pretending that the climate crisis doesn't require radical solutions may not be ideal.
The climate is changing but not everyone seems to care.
ReplyDeleteOur planet needs our help NOW!
All the best Jan
Another very interesting and thought provoking review, my dear David. The book sounds like a accessible way to better understand the complexity and the challenges we are facing. And by the way, i must say also really like your blog's new header, it looks cute! 😊 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺Gros bisous
ReplyDeleteSounds a good book to read.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteAs always, it will come down to 'the masses' making their own efforts, because as you say, leadership is failing in this regard... YAM xx
It is certainly a very good and useful book, and especially now that there are still climate deniers. After this summer, that should not be possible. I use less and less plastic, and drive an electric car. Stopping buying clothes is also useful. As long as clothes are not damaged, they can be used much longer than people do today. Everyone must contribute what they can!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
We buy most of our clothes at the Goodwill stores so they are recycled until they fall apart. As for plastic we have used as little as possible for years, but it seems to be impossible to avoid it totally. Sometimes I feel like I am spitting in the wind, however. I see people leaving the store with cart loads of water in plastic bottles, bloggers post pictures of their meals with plastic utensils, plastic straws, styrofoam trays and so on - all stuff that can be avoided. My next car will be an electric vehicle, but in the meantime we have cut back on driving to a great extent. We all have to follow our own conscience, but it is really hard not to conclude that many simply don’t care.
DeleteClimate change is here...And a good book can inform clearly the mecanism. Most of people are concern and do their part. But those who pollute the most don't car or made "greenwashing".
ReplyDeleteThanks for disclosing this interesting book !
Bisous et bon weekend !
Anna
Interesting book. After our summer this year and what we have been through, not that it has gone away for winter yet. I just wonder how long it will be before humans are extinct. If the weather doesn't do it AI running away might kill us all off anyway.I have had an exhausting month with visitors will try to get back to my blog eventually. Bisous mon ami. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteAnd that doesn’t take into account a full-out nuclear war. The future for humankind does not look bright. We are well into the Sixth Extinction.
DeleteI will look for this book to share with others I know.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it.
DeleteDear David, oh yes, I've never felt the climate change as strongly as this summer. There are two rivers in our area where I like to walk when it's hot—but this year, there's not much to see of either of them. They've become thin trickles. Yet you can smell that something is wrong. I wonder how much life has perished in these rivers alone. (Fortunately, it's rained a bit for three days now. Not enough, but at least it's the first rain in many weeks...)
ReplyDeleteThere were so many garden snails in our garden—I've never found so many empty shells towards the end of summer as I did while gardening today.
I've learned from readers that the very region in BC that I'm currently writing about on my blog has been severely affected by wildfires.
The sad thing is that people like the one you mentioned will never read a book like this. (More precisely, there probably isn't a single book he'll ever read.) And he wouldn't care at all what advisors would say, if he still had advisors who dared to mention anything like that.
Perhaps this sounds depressing, but I no longer really believe that we "little guys" can make a difference. I had that hope when Greta Thunberg stirred things up a bit – but she and her movement were successfully silenced (and now she's involved in other things, which has damaged her reputation). Silencing or ridiculing committed people seems to happen worldwide with all similar endeavors...
But I still HOPE. For a miracle... (Where I come from, we say: "Hope Dies Last" – as you can also read on my blog...)
Hugs and all the best wishes 🤗
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2026/08/reisebericht-2025-hope-manchmal-ist.html
I too once had great hopes for (and expectations of) Greta, Traude.
DeleteThat should be required reading but there are lots of people who don't read because it takes time and they are just not interested.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an extremely interesting and useful book. Looking to get a copy.
ReplyDeleteThere is no question you will benefit from understanding climate science, Dorothy.
DeleteSo many to convince...still! Small actions by many produce major results....both good and bad..Even though we are making strides in some areas, I fear we are still losing. Is the damage that we have already done too great???
ReplyDeleteScientists talk of tipping points and there seems to be consensus that many of them have now been passed.
DeleteI love your new header. Sweet!❤️
DeleteEven in the short 10 years we have been living here in the bush, closer to nature and to the land, I have certainly noticed changes.
ReplyDeleteYou are well equipped to observe change.
DeleteFortunately as more people are aware and angry about the climate crisis, we can push for the laws and actions to change, to make whatever differences are left. Katharine Hayhoe writes a great climate newsletter weekly.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how we can solve this problem without changing our economic system entirely.
ReplyDeleteHow timely the presentation of this book is, David!
ReplyDeleteYes, each of us can make a difference through small actions...
The more we know about the climate and how it works, the better!
Personally, the many active war zones across the globe also sadden and worry me... that’s a whole other conversation...
Thank you, David, for presenting this book—which is not only interesting but also useful!
Apart from the human toll wars are an environmental nightmare. We have no appetite to stop going to war, however and I doubt that we will develop peaceful ways to settle differences any time soon.
DeleteAn important book with an important message indeed.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I think you should write a book. Your written word is very precise and elegant at the same time. I agree that we are quickly heading for end time disasters and around the world leaders, even if they do realize it, only care about their profit. This book should be taught to everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind, Nicole.
DeleteClearly this is a book that should be widely read.
ReplyDeleteWe are in the middle of this muddle, and it is already worse than most scientists there to predict. the good news is that many corporations are saving energy for economic reasons, and turning to alternative energy sources.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds so relevant and timely. I don't know how we'll get out of the mess in the world.
ReplyDeleteHello David, global warming, as you also mentioned on my most resent blog, is indeed someting to worry about. The prediction for next summer is even wors because of a Super El Niño. I do hope they are wrong because this summer was already terrible.
ReplyDeleteRegards from me,
Roos
Me parece un libro interesante. Abrazos.
ReplyDelete