CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is here. What can we humans do?

Asserting that we’re already experiencing climate change—and there will be more to come—this short survey offers an accessible overview of human adaptation to this new state of affairs. In clear exposition studded with examples from near and far and references to expert sources, Nakaya begins by presenting the need for action, noting the marginalized populations who are most vulnerable to climate change–related hazards. Eventually, however, all of humanity will be affected. The author describes helpful actions, such as managing water resources, designing green urban infrastructure, preserving or restoring ecosystems, and developing early warning, monitoring, and evaluation systems for disasters. She notes challenges, too, including cost, government inaction, insufficient data, and a widespread lack of feelings of urgency. She offsets this litany of obstacles with encouraging examples of successes: rainwater harvesting at a school in Tanzania, mitigating sea level rise in Tuvalu, restoring wetlands in Colombia, and more. In the final chapters, readers learn about what needs to be done in the future to reduce emissions, educate people, invest in research, and take proactive steps to prepare for natural disasters. Most pages include either a photo or a text box, breaking up the paragraphs of text. The latest sources listed date to the summer of 2024, which unfortunately makes parts of this work already feel dated given recent U.S. policy changes.

Solid information superseded by current events.