Table of Contents

Introduction

Polar Bears Under Threat 4

What Is Global Warming? 6

Chapter 1 Our World

Atmosphere 8

Weather and Climate 10

The Oceans' Effects 12

The Sun 14

Chapter 2 The Greenhouse Effect

Heat Trap 16

Fossil Fuels 18

Human-made Greenhouse Gases 20

The Discovery of Global Warming 22

Acidifying Oceans 24

Dangerous Emissions 26

Chapter 3 The Past and the Future

A Window to History 28

Secrets of the Trees 30

Piecing It Together 32

Controlling Global Warming 34

A Natural Occurrence 36

Chapter 4 Predicting the Future

Measuring Change 38

Warming Warning 40

Hot, Hot, Hot 42

Forecasting the Effects 44

Predicting Problems 46

Human Health 48

Chapter 5 Government and You

Taking Action 50

Are We in Time? 52

Environmental Programs 54

Tomorrow's Scientists 56

Everlasting Energy? 58

Planet Under Pressure 60

Glossary 62

Index 64