Houghton, J. T., Meira Filho, L., Callander, B. A., Harris, N., Kattenberg, A., Maskell, K., & Wall, G. (1998). The science of climate change]. Environments, 25(2), 133. Retrieved from http://lrc- proxy.abtech.edu:2048/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/207673677?accou ntid=8387
J.T. Houghton, in The Science of Climate Change, has no insights of his own, and instead discusses the findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 1998. The three volumes have been summarized. The panel (1998) believes that human influence is evident on global climate change, but the projections are less extreme than we suspect (The Science of Climate Change, par 2). Climate change can be uncertain and hard to track its predictability, making it difficult to amount how much is related to humans. There are many factors in climate change, mostly based on ecological systems. Instead of pretending climate change doesn’t exist, it’s time to use our resources to find ways to adapt to the new climate. Our decisions towards how to proceed can determine the length of time humans will stay alive. It is suspected that northern areas will be impacted the most and experience climate change differently than central and southern areas. Climate change is a global experience, which means humans from all around the world need to work together to discover sensible ways to adapt.
Houghton uses scholarly resources as evidence about the science of climate change. He opens with the background of where he obtained his evidence. In doing so, it establishes security with the reader knowing this information is verifiable. He uses this process to explain what scientist believe is necessary to readjust living in a new climate. This article is summarized by volume. If he had outlined his article not in order of volumes, it would be lost on the reader. Direct quotes are used, as are the headlines to each section he abbreviated. He condensed the ideas and numbers from the volumes to compose an easier read.
By using scholarly published books instead of Houghton’s own assessments, the points are straightforward and backed by evidence. Any scientist can read his synopsis and simply find the section he wants to study. Houghton (1998) briefs us in the beginning on how this information was found, “text based on the expert literature and reviewed by experts and governmental representatives. More than 2,000 experts worldwide participated in drafting and reviewing the documents” (The Science of Climate Change, par. 1). In doing this, it is almost impossible to argue the notions of the three volumes.
Schmidt, C. W., M.S. (2010). A closer look at climate change skepticism. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(12), a536-40. Retrieved from http://lrc- proxy.abtech.edu:2048/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/821701344?accou ntid=8387
Charles Schmidt, in A Closer Look at Climate Change Skepticism, interprets the doubt of climate change. Not all scientists have the same beliefs, so he explains the different skepticisms heard of. The article is separated by topic and debated by both sides. He begins by giving background on the situation and why this is a heavily argued topic. From there, he eases into a section titled “Popular Polarity” which introduces the two perspectives and their thoughts on the other points. The next section is “Degrees of Dissent”, where scientists discuss the temperature of the earth and whether global warming is real. His last dispute considers the economic implications and if it is necessary to work on reducing human influence on climate change or to find adaptation solutions. He then formulates his own opinions on the “Snowball Effect” between scientists and their findings and beliefs. He explains how the public is viewing the situation and how they regard the discussion on climate change.
Schmidt acquires his facts through direct quotes by scientists. He uses these quotes and notions as justifications for both sides. In doing this, he is providing the reader with unbiased information to choose their own perspective. He categorizes three sections ready to be discussed to convey each viewpoint, which gives organization to his article. Schmidt utilizes his last two segments as a place to explain how the conflict confuses and affects the public.
Schmidt’s article can be useful to anyone who is unclear or uneducated on the topic of climate change. He applies multiple resources to provide substantial information on their stances. Schmidt (2010) begins the article with, “Fueled by partisan bickering, this dispute now is more bellicose than ever” (A Closer Look at Climate Change Skepticism, par. 1), which prepares the reader for a disagreement. This article is direct and helps the reader formulate their own position on climate change and it being something to worry about.
Saba, A., Biasutti, M., Gerrard, M. B., & Lobell, D. B. (2013). Getting ahead of the curve: Supporting adaptation to long-term climate change and short-term climate variability alike. Carbon & Climate Law Review : CCLR, 7(1), 3-23. Retrieved from http://lrc- proxy.abtech.edu:2048/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1439824110?acco untid=8387
Alexis Saba’s article, Getting Ahead of the Curve: Supporting Adaptation to Long-Term Climate Change and Short-Term Climate Variability, opens with a headnote on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In Saba’s (2013) article, she hopes to “examine the scope of funding available for climate change adaptation and how climate change forecasts are used to plan for and evaluate climate change adaptation” (Getting Ahead of the Curve, par. 1). The article is arranged in six sections. She begins with the introduction and background on climate change and what it is. The second section differentiates climate change from climate variability. The UNFCCC (2013) defines climate variability as
“variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations, the occurrence of extremes, etc.) of the climate on all temporal and spatial scales beyond that of individual weather events […] due to natural internal processes within the climate” (Getting Ahead of the Curve, par. 6).
Rainfall is used as an example of natural variability, a climate change not influenced by humans. Section three outlines funding for adaptation in the African Sahel, the region between the northern Sahara Desert and the southern Sudanian Savanna. This section includes funding by the UNFCCC and funding outside of the UNFCCC, such as multilateral development banks. She moves from funding to practice in adaptation for section four. Saba (2013) writes, “The frameworks for climate change adaptation funding sources discussed above provide valuable insights into the role of climate change forecasts – or lack thereof – in adaptation planning and funding. There is also evidence from adaptation in practice that similarly reveals an emphasis on adaptation to climate variability over adaptation to climate change” (Getting Ahead of the Curve, par. 42). This section is based on the Ethiopian Adaptation Project, “Coping with Drought and Climate Change”, which is a project studying how less rainfall can negatively impact Africa’s agricultural and food supply system. The fifth section (2013) offers recommendations to prioritize adaptations to climate variability. Included are flood control and early warning, increasing irrigation, and crop breeding and the conservation of crop genetic resources (Getting Ahead of the Curve, par. 55-57). Saba (2013) concludes her article by reminding her readers that while helping other countries prepare for climate change is significant, the other aspects of climate change, such as agriculture, economic health, and quality of life are being forgotten (Getting Ahead of the Curve, par 65).
Saba’s article, Getting Ahead of the Curve: Supporting Adaptation to Long-Term Climate Change and Short-Term Climate Variability distinguishes the different aspects towards supporting adaptation in developing countries. She uses this method to provide background information and then organize her ideas in a way that is easy to find information quickly. She is informative and provides studies as evidence, instead of giving her own thoughts. The UNFCCC is a significant, reputable source where she received her information on this topic. By using the UNFCCC, the article has substantial support behind it.
Most of the information Saba’s article refers to the adaptation being practiced in the African Sahel. In the conclusion of her article, she points out that while the African Sahel needs immediate attention, there are other details regarding extreme heat and heavy rainfall that need to be addressed as well. Saba’s (2013) last sentence,
“The development of the Green Climate Fund provides an excellent opportunity to review the current funding structure for climate change adaptation and correct some of the shortcomings by taking into account the above discussion about the differences between climate variability and climate change and the resulting impact on adaptation” (Getting Ahead of the Curve, par. 68), commends the Green Climate Fund for acting on these other overlooked details.