Review: This slim volume is aimed squarely at the student and general public market. It assumes that global warming exists and aims to highlight the key features, to show what's happening where and also how to do something about it. A brief forward describes both the aims of the book and the state of current global warming knowledge. This is followed by a very useful set of definitions arranged, unusually but usefully, by subject: chemistry, technical terms etc. From that point, the book divides into 7 parts each one highlighting a different area. The technique adopted is to have a brief outline and then follow this with a series of full-colour annotated maps. The first part looks at evidence for change: maps associated with this show where/what changes are occurring (glaciers, arctic areas) and how extreme some of these changes are. Part two turns to examine the mechanisms behind the change. Here, the two-page spreads used in part one are not maps but topics (greenhouse effect, climate system etc.) each one highly illustrated with graphs and data tables as well as an accompanying text. Part two shows how the system can work; part three shows what we're doing to it. Maps and data show emissions, fossil fuel usage, methane output and transport amongst others. Part four tries to answer the question - what's going to happen. Along with a careful rider about limits to scientific knowledge, there's maps looking at water, food, health, sea level, cities and ecosystems. Part five describes what we are already doing about it in terms of agreements, finance etc. and also how we may need to adapt to this. Part six is a very small section with spreads on personal and public action that can be taken. A final part gives basic statistics on national greenhouse emissions.

Despite its size this volume packs a lot of very high quality information into a small space. Despite its subject matter it does not hector but supports, showing where evidence is both strong and weak. The best part is the production with all illustrations in full colour and an excellent layout drawing in the reader. This should be a hit with students and should be seen on every library shelf - one of the best buys of the year.