Examines the possible impact of climate change on our ability to feed the world's people, avoid water shortages, conserve biodiversity, improve health, and preserve cities and cultural treasures. It also reviews historical contributions to greenhouse gas levels, progress in meeting Kyoto commitments, and local efforts to meet the challenge of climate change. The atlas covers a wide range of topics, including warning signals, future scenarios, vulnerable populations, health impacts, renewable energy and emissions reduction. With more than 50 full-colour maps and graphics. Index, 112pp, UK. EARTHSCAN.

This book presents the issues of most relevance to Africa, such as past and present climate, desertification, biomass burning and its implications for atmospheric chemistry and climate, energy generation, sea-level rise, ENSO-induced drought and flood, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol (especially the Clean Development Mechanism), capacity-building, and sustainable development. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of these and many other issues, with chapters by the leading experts from a range of disciplines. 411pp, UK. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

Climate change is a major challenge for us all, but for African countries it represents a particular threat. This book outlines current thinking and evidence and the impact that such a change will have on Africa's development prospects. Global warming above the level of two degrees Celsius would be enormously damaging for poorer parts of the world, leading to crises with crops, livestock, water supplies and coastal areas. Within Africa, it's likely to be the continent's poorest people who are hit hardest. 160pp, UK. ZED BOOKS.

Quantitative analysis and assessment of the extent of potential economic impacts of future climate change, and value of adaptation measures in Africa for different zones, regions, countries and farm types. Researchers developed and applied multipliable analytical methods and procedures to assess quantitatively how climate affects current agricultural systems in Africa, predict how these systems may be affected in the future by climate change under various global warming scenarios, and suggest what role adaptation could play. Index, tables, charts, maps, 189pp, UK. EARTHSCAN.

Now in paperback. As in Guns, Germs, and Steel, Diamond weaves an all-encompassing global thesis through a series of fascinating historical-cultural narratives. Moving from the Polynesian cultures on Easter Island to the flourishing American civilizations of the Anasazi and the Maya and finally to the doomed Viking colony on Greenland, Diamond traces the fundamental patterns of catastrophic societal failure. Extensive discussion of Rwanda. Index, bib, b/w photos, 575pp, UK. PENGUIN BOOKS.

In light of the recent food shortages in Southern Africa, this collection of essays looks at the way climate forecasting can benefit the agricultural community. BNS, 236pp, UK. ASHGATE PUBLISHERS, 0754617661

Based on analysis of the evidence for climate change and the vulnerability of poor people, this book develops a framework for action and makes clear the link between consumer and political choices in the North, and impacts in the South on the most vulnerable people on the planet. Bib, app, 123pp, UK. PRACTICAL ACTION PUBLISHING.

This book presents research findings and case studies seeking to inform policies geared towards addressing problems emanating from these changes. Climate variability raises concerns over the future of agriculture, conditions of land and water availability. Therefore, climate change amplifies many economic and social risks, as well as deterioration of the environment. At the same time, non-climatic risk factors such as economic instability, trade liberalization, conflicts and poor governance all inflict upon vulnerable communities. 202pp, TANZANIA. MKUKI NA NYOTA PUBLISHERS.

Heatwaves, hurricanes, droughts, floods - recent years have seen in increase in 'record-breaking' instances of extreme weather. Caught up in this whirlwind of extremes it's no wonder that speculation about more deep-rooted climatic change is a constant of today's news. This guide sifts scientific theory from scientific fact and presents the impacts on health, farming and wildlife, along with an analysis of political negotiations on the issue and potential solutions to it. Index, 144pp, UK. NEW INTERNATIONALIST.

A study of climate instability and global warming discussing the science and the politics behind the issues, the difficulties of concerted action and the conflicts be-tween the countries of the economic North and South over rising temperatures. Index, app, refs, 178pp, UK. ZED BOOKS, 1842770799