I thought the author did a very good job in laying out a lot of the issues and challenges that our world is facing pertaining to climate change and global warming. He uses “not too technical language” so that even everyday laypeople can understand the content. He goes through about 60 different bullet points and answers them all in as great of detail as possible, with what is known at this point in time based on the scientific research.
I know that “climate change and global warming” are very hot and controversial political topics, but there’s no denying, that “a lot of strange occurrences” have been happening with our global climate over the last decade or so if we’ve been paying attention. Is anyone wondering why here in North America, our summers have been hotter and drier, and our winters, have been shorter and more harsh (generally speaking) than in recent memory? That the hurricanes/typhoons, that have been battering a lot of the Asian countries during late summer’s, have been more devastating than ever? Even here in the great “Pacific Northwest” we have enjoyed one of the “driest” summers/fall on record, and here we are, soon to go into the month of December, and we are still getting mild temperatures in the 50s.
If this but doesn’t create an “eye-opening” moment for you, probably nothing will until the sea levels are lapping at your front door if you are close to coastline property. Or, rising temperatures are causing massive hurricanes, and fuel shortages are happening throughout the world. It’s time to do something people, this can be a great reference book for all of us to springboard from.
Listed here, are several excerpts of topic headings that are covered in this book, and that I found very informative and interesting.
– “normal” climate meant something much different to the dinosaurs and wooly mammoths than it does to us
– the climate has changed dramatically in the past
– our ancestors survive climate changes, but it wasn’t always pretty
– dinosaurs didn’t drive gas guzzlers or use air-conditioning
– carbon dioxide is like a planet wearing a “sweatsuit”
– the northern hemisphere has heated up greater over the last 50 years than any time in the last centuries, and more than any other part of the world
– The United States emits 19.9 metric tons of CO2 per person per year.
– Non-industrialized countries emit 8.4 metric tons of CO2 per person per year
– The rest of the world emits 2.4 metric tons of CO2 per person per year
– the growing season in the United States is two weeks longer than it was in 1900
This book was written and published by Climate Central — a highly regarded, independent, nonprofit journalism and research organization founded in 2008 — and reviewed by scientists at major educational and research institutions the world over, Global Weirdness summarizes, in clear and accessible prose, everything we already know about the science of climate change. It explains what is likely to happen to the climate in the future and lays out in practical terms what we can and cannot do to avoid further shifts.
If you have any concern, or curiosity, about global warming/climate change, this would be a great book for you to dive into and learn so much more about what is going on (despite what our politicians and leaders are saying).
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
Thanks much.