This highly acclaimed atlas distills the vast science of climate change, providing a reliable and insightful guide to this rapidly growing field. Since the 2006 publication of the first edition, climate change has climbed even higher up the global agenda. This new edition reflects the latest developments in research and the impact of climate change, and in current efforts to mitigate and adapt to changes in the world’s weather.

The atlas covers a wide range of topics, including warning signs, vulnerable populations, health impacts, renewable energy, emissions reduction, personal and public action. The third edition includes new or additional coverage of a number of topics, including agreements reached in Copenhagen and Cancun, ocean warming and increased acidity, the economic impact of climate change, and advantages gained by communities and business from adapting to climate change. The extensive maps and graphics have been updated with new data, making this edition once again an essential resource for everyone concerned with this pressing subject.

Kirstin Dow is Associate Professor of Geography at the University of South Carolina. She is a lead author in the IPCC Fifth Assessment, Working Group 2 effort on Adaptation Opportunities, Constraints, and Limitations and a contributing author to the chapter on coasts. She is also Principal Investigator of the Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments, an interdisciplinary research effort to bridge climate science and decision-making. She serves as a science advisor on climate change mitigation and adaptation for community and national efforts.



Thomas E. Downing is President of the Global Climate Adaptation Partnership and Visiting Professor at Oxford University. He was formerly Executive Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute, Oxford Office and is a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and advisor to national and international programs on climate change.

“The Atlas of Climate Change is absolutely essential. It’s clear, concise, and superbly illustrated. There should be a copy on every bookshelf.”—BBC

“This is a remarkable piece of work and extremely readable.”— R.K. Pachauri, Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

“Seeing that climate change is probably the biggest single problem facing our world today, it’s natural that you might want to find out more. The Atlas Of Climate Change condenses key findings from the scientists and is packed with facts, graphs, and maps explaining how climate change is affecting the planet.”—Guardian

“Packs a lot of very high quality information into a small space with 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.”—Ecological and Environmental Education

“An amazing effort. . . . A great resource.” —Electronic Green Journal

"No challenge is more urgent than the need to achieve climate security. We will not succeed unless we base our decisions on a clear understanding of the complex interplay between the choices we are making and their consequences for natural and human systems. This pioneering atlas sets out much of the available knowledge in an attractive and accessible way. It will become an essential point of reference for anyone looking for a quick and accurate overview of this multidisciplinary subject."—John Ashton, Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO)

2006 Planeta Environment Book of the Year