The Long Thaw by David Archer

At first glance, The Long Thaw seems to be just another book about global warming. And it is about global warming. But the context in which the concept is presented is what sets this book apart, in my opinion.

David Archer, a professor of geophysical sciences at the University of Chicago, writes in an approachable style, especially for the non-expert like myself. He expresses scientific theories in terms that I can understand. For example, Archer compares the way the earth's atmosphere absorbs infrared radiation to the way a sink drains while the faucet is still running. I know it doesn't make complete sense when I describe it, but I understood Archer's description in the book without a problem. He even included visual aids.

The book contains in-depth chapters on other climate change events in the earth's history. Archer compares those events to what is happening to our climate now. According to Archer, our climate is gradually heating up because of the effect of carbon dioxide emissions. I always thought the main culprit in global warming was carbon monoxide but not according to this book. Archer claims the effects probably won't be felt by this generation but the impact from this generation will be obvious by the year 2100. This is a much quicker "turnaround" than for previous global climate events.

Perhaps the most disturbing idea I took away form this book is that there is little that humans can do to fix this problem. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is produced by burning coal, does not dissipate completely, no matter what we do. A percentage of the carbon dioxide emissions from last year or even 10 years ago are still clogging the atmosphere and will continue to do so indefinitely.

Archer does not offer solutions to the problem. He just presents the facts as he understands them. And he explains them in clear, understandable terms for all. I think it is up to the reader to take that knowledge and develop their own solutions for the sake of future generations.

Debbi Dinkins