Author Description

Global Warming: The Truth behind the Myth is a provocative discussion of the relationship between global climate and the greenhouse effect. Dr. Michael Parsons, an esteemed scientist and writer in the area of atomic spectroscopy and environmental analysis, uses the term "myth" to capture the essence of the misunderstanding and exaggeration behind the popular view of global warming. The author explains the computer models that are used to predict climate change, points out their flaws, and offers insight into the views and opinions of the computer modelers themselves. While there is no question that the greenhouse phenomenon exists, there are many uncertainties about computer predictions and the assumptions used in the computer models. Important factors such as solar variation, El Nino, cloud dynamics, and ocean currents significantly influence the earth's climate, and yet most computer models have neglected to adequately incorporate them. Global Warming is not an anti-environmental book. Rather, it is an authoritative attempt to put the facts associated with global climate into proper perspective along with other environmental problems, such as overpopulation, depletion of nonrenewable energy resources, and pollution. Dr. Parsons presents the scientific facts on both sides of the various issues and documents them so that the reader will be able to come to an intelligent, unbiased opinion. Written primarily for the general public, this intriguing book will also be enlightening for teachers and students, politicians, agricultural economists, environmental engineers and geologists, climatologists, conservationists, public health officials, policymakers, and scientists in general.