Quick answers to critical questions about climate change
1. Climate Change: A guide for the perplexed (New Scientist Online)
A useful set of references and background information to respond to some common questions about and dismissals of the climate crisis. From the site: "With so much at stake, it is right that climate science is subjected to the most intense scrutiny. What does not help is for the real issues to be muddied by discredited arguments or wild theories. So for those who are not sure what to believe, here is our round-up of the 26 most common climate myths and misconceptions. There is also a guide to assessing the evidence. In the articles we've included lots of links to primary research and major reports for those who want to follow through to the original sources."
2. How to talk to a climate skeptic (Gristmill Online)
A similar resource to the one provided by New Scientist, but with a much more detailed breakdown of potential responses into categories based on level of denial, scientific detail, and sophistication of the skeptic's argument. Worth a look.
A very useful, constantly updated review of climate change coverage in the media. In addition to highlighting misinformation and obfuscation in climate change reporting, the DeSmog Blog tracks the appearances of bought and paid for climate change denial specialists in the op ed pages of major newspapers and on TV, and traces their connections back to the industries and other organizations which benefit from the carbon emissions status quo.
4. Royal Society Climate Change Site (National Academy of Science for the UK and the Commonwealth)
Another very useful site, with good summaries of global and national climate policies, and analyses of policy options. See especially "Climate Change Controversies: A Simple Guide."
The Scientific and Economic Basis for Action on Climate Change
1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The international body which assembles the scientific evidence for the argument that i) climate change is real ii) it is caused by human action and iii) it is going to cause some serious and irreversible problems if we don't deal with it soon. The periodic IPCC reports generated much of the major media coverage of the issue in 2007.
2. Real Climate
A non-political organisation focused on interpreting and analysing the IPCC reports. A good site to visit if you want to understand what is in the IPCC reports without actually slogging through them.
Nicholas Stern is a British economist who was commissioned by the UK government to write a report on the economic costs of climate change. His review is the source of the widely quoted argument that we have the choice between spending $1 now to reduce emissions and avoid the worst effects of climate change, or spending $20 later to deal with the ongoing impacts. Accessible, and a good summary of the science to the time of his report -- it's now somewhat out of date.
The Political Basis for Action on Climate Change
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Everything you need to know about the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement governing greenhouse gas emissions reductions.