Review: It says something about the way in which climate-change science has changed in the last 20 years that we have gone from defeating the problem to living with it and hoping to reduce the excesses that might occur. It's a realisation that on several fronts we can no longer assume we have the power to control natural events. We don't have the knowledge or the resources let alone the political will. In this context, perhaps mitigation is the best we can hope for.

This is the fourth assessment report from the IPCC groups which has gradually built up from the first ideas in 1990 (and which itself shows how the reporting system has evolved). There are four reports - 3 main group ones (briefly, physical science, impacts and mitigation) and a synthesis in addition to a range of technical and other special reports. In so doing it has created a virtual 'industry' of reports that make it difficult for all but specialised climate scientists to understand. As a science and education resource it is doubtful now if it can be bettered. along with the reports online, there are graphics, podcasts, vidcasts and other material making it easy to get top quality data. Making something of it is more difficult. Since mitigation is a crucial issue it makes sense to see how this issue has been tackled. The book is divided into three unequal parts each aimed at a different audience. The first part is the briefest overview and is aimed at policy makers. It contains the key ideas and data that can be used to understand some of the main issues. There are none of the error notes and uncertainties that mark later areas of work. (It is this part that is also the most use in education). The second, slightly longer part, is referred to as the technical summary. Here the emphasis is on taking the main reports themes are teasing out the key points and examining inter-relationships between areas such as climate change and development. Finally, there's the body of the text which looks in the greatest detail at the issues that have been raised through research and debate in this area. This part itself is also divided into 4 sections. The first comprises the introduction which outlines the process and the results and a second chapter examining the cross-cutting themes (called framing issues) which have been used to explore the implications of climate change. Most noticeable amongst these is the idea of sustainable development. It is recognised that we cannot continue on the current development path and that alternatives need to be found. Sustainability (including issues of social equity) is a key way forward if we are to develop without too much impact on the climate. The second part is the single chapter three. This chapter examines some of the baseline data that has been found and assesses its strengths and weaknesses. This area had been criticised in previous reports and so the aim was to see to what extend changes were needed. The third part is made up of seven chapters each with a different theme but each with a common agenda. The aim here is to show how a series of concepts e.g.cost, policies, technology etc. will impact upon different aspects of life from energy and transport to housing and forestry. The fourth part is the most complex containing three reviews of cross-sector effects. Chapter 11 examines a range of economic issues surrounding mitigation from the feasibility of geo-engineering to carbon prices. Chapter 12 looks at the relationship between sustainable development and climate mitigation. There is potential for a relationship but the impacts might not be even; it depends of whether one chooses primarily climate or development options. Finally, chapter 13 examines the impact of a range of policies - global and national - on the chances of mitigation succeeding. Although this comes last of all in the text one could argue it should be the first because without agreement there is unlikely to be any effective change.

This is a dense and complex text. Along with other volumes it provides the reader with the most authoritative, detailed account of climate change as we currently understand it. Readers of previous volumes will see how the system has been refined with probabilities attached to all major statements. There is a wealth of detail and data which would suit any debate or work. This would probably be best for educators rather than students mainly because of the complexity of the text. However, those who persevere with this book and the associated material on the website will be rewarded with a considerable amount of data and information not easily obtainable elsewhere. A very valuable resource for the library.