Tales from an uncertain world : what other assorted disasters can teach us about climate change / L.S. Gardiner.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 171-177) and index.

Introduction -- In uncertain terms -- When sands shift -- When ground shakes -- When fish invade -- On the dry side of the glass -- Ashes to ashes -- We are not waterproof -- Reply hazy. Try again -- Space-age improbable possibilities -- Epilogue : reaction time -- Postscript : shrinking the carbon footprint of this book -- In case of emergency.

"So far, humanity hasn't done very well in addressing the ongoing climate catastrophe. Veteran science educator L. S. Gardiner believes we can learn to do better by understanding how we've dealt with other types of environmental risks in the past and why we are dragging our feet in addressing this most urgent emergency. Weaving scientific facts and research together with humor and emotion, Gardiner explores human responses to erosion, earthquakes, fires, invasive species, marine degradation, volcanic eruptions, and floods in order to illuminate why we find it so challenging to deal with climate change. Insight emerges from unexpected places--a mermaid exhibit, a Magic 8 Ball, and midcentury cartoons about a future that never came to be. Instead of focusing on the economics and geopolitics of the debate over climate change, this book brings large-scale disaster to a human scale, emphasizing the role of the individual. We humans do have the capacity to deal with disasters. When we face threatening changes, we don't just stand there pretending it isn't so, we do something. But because we're human, our responses aren't always the right ones the first time--yet we can learn to do better. This book is essential reading for all who want to know how we can draw on our strengths to survive the climate catastrophe and forge a new relationship with nature. "-- Provided by publisher.

ASLI Choice Award