Climate change for astronomers : causes, consequences, and communication / edited by Travis Rector.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Rector, Travis A. (Travis Arthur), editor.

Institute of Physics (Great Britain), publisher.

Series:

IOP (Series). Release 23.

AAS-IOP astronomy. 2023 collection.

[IOP release $release]

AAS-IOP astronomy. [2023 collection], 2514-3433

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Climatic changes.

Astronomy--Environmental aspects.

Astronomy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (various pagings) : illustrations (some color).

Place of Publication:

Bristol [England] (Temple Circus, Temple Way, Bristol BS1 6HG, UK) : IOP Publishing, [2024]

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader, EPUB reader, or Kindle reader.

Biography/History:

Travis A. Rector is an astrophysicist at the University of Alaska Anchorage. In recent years, his focus has been on advocating for solutions to climate change. Living in Alaska, he has witnessed dramatic changes in his home state. He is also one of the founders of Astronomers for Planet Earth, an international grass-roots movement of astronomy students, educators, amateurs and scientists, working to address the climate crisis from an astronomical perspective. He is currently serving as the chair of a task force for the American Astronomical Society, whose goal is to identify ways astronomy as a profession can reduce its carbon footprint on a scale commensurate with the terms of the Paris Agreement.

Summary:

Astronomers are in a unique position to help people understand the danger of climate change and what we can do about it. This book is intended to help astronomers to be better educators and communicators about the causes and consequences of climate change, as well as better advocates for solutions. It discusses the science of climate change as relevant to astronomy, including topics such as the Earth's past to its potential future. It also explores how we can communicate about a divisive and emotionally charged topic in ways that can overcome common misconceptions and disinformation so as to inspire and motivate. The book also discusses how climate change is impacting astronomy as a profession, as well as ways that astronomy can reduce its carbon emissions.

Contents:

part I. Introduction. 1. Why astronomers? / T.A.Rector

part II. Past and future. 2. Geologic climate history of the Earth / Ka Chun Yu and Robert Raynolds

3. Predictions of our future global climate : models, scenarios, and projections / Anna Cabré Albós

part III. Consequences and solutions. 4. Consequences of climate change / T.A. Rector

5. Agriculture and climate change / Rachel Mason

6. How to think about solutions / T.A. Rector and Ka Chun Yu

7. Energy solutions to climate change / T.A. Rector and Ka Chun Yu

part IV. Formal and informal education. 8. Climate change in Astro 101 / T.A. Rector

9. Teaching with inspiration, not (only) fear / Jeffrey Bennett

10. Global warming : a case study in science / David J. Helfand

11. Addressing climate change with informal science education / Ka Chun Yu

part V. Communication. 12. Communication and climate change / T.A. Rector and P. Banchero

13. Media and misinformation / P. Banchero and T.A. Rector

part VI. Engagement and advocacy. 14. Community engagement / Kathryn Williamson

15. The power of activism / B. Rodgers

16. Climate justice / B. Rodgers and R. Mason

part VII. Climate change and astronomy. 17. Impact of climate change on astronomical observations / Maaike van Kooten, Faustine Cantalloube and Travis A. Rector

18. The carbon footprint of astronomy research / Jürgen Knödlseder

19. The future of meetings / Vanessa Moss, Glen Rees, Aidan Hotan, Emily Kerrison, Elizabeth Tasker, Rika Kobayashi, Claire Trenham, Ron Ekers and Travis Rector

part VIII. Resources. Appendix A. Resources.

Notes:

"Version: 20240401"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references.

Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 1, 2024).

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9780750337274

9780750337267

OCLC:

1432458150

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.