Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change: Answers to Your Ocean and Atmosphere Questions

by Ellen Prager, Dave Jones

Overview

Could ancient giant sharks called megalodons still exist in the deep sea? What should you do if stung by a jellyfish? Can we predict lightning strikes and how is climate change affecting hurricanes?

With humor, easy-to-understand language, and fun illustrations, marine scientist Ellen Prager and meteorologist Dave Jones use frequently asked and zany questions about the ocean and atmosphere to combat misinformation and make science engaging and understandable for all. From dangerous marine life, coral reefs, and the deep sea to lightning, hurricanes, weather forecasting, the Sun, and climate change, they reveal what’s fact, what’s fiction, and how to find science-based answers. This book is perfect for anyone curious about the world around them, educators, science communicators, and even scientists who want to learn about and explain topics outside their expertise.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231212496
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	10/22/2024
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Ellen Prager is a marine scientist, author, and the chief scientist for StormCenter Communications. She also works as a freelance writer and consultant. Her numerous books include Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans’ Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter (2011) and Chasing Science at Sea: Racing Hurricanes, Stalking Sharks, and Living Undersea with Ocean Experts (2008).

Dave Jones is a meteorologist and thirty-five-year veteran of the weather industry. He is the founder of StormCenter Communications and worked as an on-air meteorologist in Washington, DC, and for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Prager and Jones are frequently requested public speakers and appear on television as experts. They are partners for work and in life.

Table of Contents

Note from the Authors
1. The Deep Vast Sea
2. Dangerous Marine Life
3. Jellyfish
4. Other Sea Creatures
5. Coral Reefs
6. Supernatural, Suspicious, or Science
7. Lightning
8. Hurricanes
9. Weather Forecasting and Extreme Events
10. Climate Change
11. The Sun
12. Information Mixology
13. Show Us the Data
14. Questions Anyone? Anyone?
Acknowledgments
Sources and Additional Information
Index

Editorial Reviews

Such a down-to-Earth, easy-to-understand book as this is a most welcome one indeed.

The Well-read Naturalist

The wonders of weather, climate and the vast seas are explored and explained​. This engaging book, written for curious readers young and old, plumbs the depths of the oceans and the expanse of the skies to address a range of inquiries about the Earth’s watery and airy environs.​

The Washington Times

In an effort to ‘promote improved understanding and combat misinformation’ in an age where the latter is far too prevalent, marine scientist Prager and meteorologist Jones have compiled ‘some of the most frequently asked and zaniest questions’ they and their colleagues have encountered. The authors present information in a detailed, frank, and conversational manner and clearly explain technical terms. The text doesn’t sugarcoat the dire nature of climate change, but it is lightened and enlivened by a fair amount of humor, especially in the scattered cartoon spot art. The work lends itself to being read cover to cover or dipped into by those who wish to learn more about a specific area, enhancing its usefulness. A solid and engaging overview of a host of scientific concepts.

Kirkus Reviews

Truth is stranger than fiction. But to appreciate this, you gotta know what’s true and what isn’t. In this delightful book, Prager and Jones set the records straight for you about what’s really weird and weirdly real about the ocean and the planet’s atmosphere—and how to tell the difference. It’s a great read and a great reference, a great resource and great fun.

Carl Safina

In this book, Prager and Jones make atmospheric, oceanographic, and space science exciting and accessible to non-scientists in an interesting and easy-to-follow manner.

Paul Gross

This is a pleasant, easy-to-read book that updates the reader with oceanic and atmospheric news. *****5 out of 5 stars.

Tulsa Book Review

2024-08-17
“Questions are the lifeblood of learning,” the authors proclaim, and questions—and answers—abound in this reader-friendly tome.

In an effort to “promote improved understanding and combat misinformation” in an age where the latter is far too prevalent, marine scientist Prager and meteorologist Jones have compiled “some of the most frequently asked and zaniest questions” they and their colleagues have encountered. Each chapter explores a variety of topics related to an overarching subject that’s adjacent to the authors’ respective fields, including marine life and ocean health, extreme weather, astronomy, and the dangers of scientific illiteracy. The chapter entitled “Supernatural, Suspicious, or Science” covers such far-ranging matters as rumors about the Bermuda Triangle, lenticular clouds (which are often mistaken for UFOs), and the science behind so-called chemtrails. The authors present information in a detailed, frank, and conversational manner and clearly explain technical terms. The book includes sobering information about current risks to the environment and the impact human activity has had on it. The text doesn’t sugarcoat the dire nature of climate change, but it is lightened and enlivened by a fair amount of humor, especially in Birnbach's scattered cartoon spot art. The work lends itself to being read cover to cover or dipped into by those who wish to learn more about a specific area, enhancing its usefulness.

A solid and engaging overview of a host of scientific concepts. (authors’ note, sources and additional information, index)(Nonfiction. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews

With today's deluge of misinformation, Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change is sorely needed, giving straightforward answers to commonly asked questions about climate, weather, and the environment.

Timothy H. Dixon

Prager and Jones correct the most prolific misperceptions, challenge blatant examples of misinformation, and provide succinct introductions to the most important issues around ocean pollution, extreme weather, and climate change. The 'bite-size' structure makes for generally easy reading.

H-Oceans

I am left...speechless. The resources at the back could be its own book! As a middle school science teacher this book spoke to my soul, and as a human living on Earth...it did the same. ***** 5/5 stars

Reading to Infinity

The tone is often light and sometimes humorous. [This] book invites readers to jump around through the chapters, letting their curiosity guide them to the next topic. The chapter ‘Show Us the Data’ is a good mental martial arts course, giving tips on how [to] defend oneself from lies and misinformation. If I were to pick a chapter of this book to be required reading for high schoolers, it would be this one.

The Green Dispatch Paul Hormick

Recommended for college/university library Marine Science collections and supplemental Oceanography/Ecology curriculum studies lists… the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers, as well as middle school, high school, community marine science collections.

Midwest Book Review

[This book] celebrate[s] the mystery of Earth’s oceans and tally humanity’s deepening impacts on them.

Yale Climate Connections

Poised to become an invaluable resource for educators, science communicators, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the interconnected world of oceans and atmosphere. This book promises to illuminate the wonders of our planet and inspire a new generation of scientific thinkers.

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine

Filled with questions that I myself (a shark scientist) am frequently asked about sharks and the ocean and the answers are written in a witty, comical fashion. Even though it is written for the lay reader, the authors provide TONS of literature at the back of the book for people who are curious as to where the data was collected and for more scientific resources for nerdy people (myself included).

Integrative and Comparative Biology