cover image Global Warming

Global Warming

Michael L. Parsons, M. L. Parsons. Basic Books, $27.95 (271pp) ISBN 978-0-306-45083-9

Parsons makes the Panglossian argument that we should not worry about global warming. ``Deserts could become producing farmlands!'' ``[M]aybe a warmer world is a better world.'' In addition to allaying readers' fears of global warming, Parsons has two other goals. The first, detailing many of the physical and biological factors that shape worldwide climate, he does fairly well. The second, asserting that all climatological models are incorrect and that therefore there is no reason to believe that global warming will occur, is suspect. He notes correctly that the models are not complete but ignores the fact that the shortcomings are well known and that the majority of atmospheric scientists have still concluded that global warming is of serious concern to humanity. Instead, he contends that scientists exaggerate their findings ``because of the need for popular and political support to fund the very expensive climate research.'' It's a good bet that any book whose preface claims ``This is not an anti-environment book'' is exactly that. Parsons's book is no exception to that rule. (Nov.)