Israel Environment Bulletin Autumn 1993-5754, Vol. 16, No. 4
ENVIRONMENTAL LITERATURE
Regional Implications of Future Climate Change
Michael Graber, Ariel Cohen and Mordechai Magaritz, Editors
Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities and Israel Ministry of
the Environment, Jerusalem, 1993. XIV + 304 pp. $40.
This book presents the proceedings of an international scientific
conference that took place in Israel in 1991 and was probably the
first in the world to focus on regional, rather than global,
implications of climate change.
Since the conference was held in Israel, where the shortage of
water is already acute, the proceedings concentrate on the
potential adverse effects of climate change on the water supply of
the region. The problem is made quite clear in the opening
statement by Dr. Uri Marinov, then Director General of the Ministry
of the Environment, whose efforts made the conference possible.
The book is subdivided into sections on climate changes during the
last 10,000 years, expected regional changes based on numerical
models, environmental implications and potential international
impacts of global warming. Papers are included on possible
conclusions from global climate models regarding future
precipitation trends in the region (Kay, Smith et. al., Zangvil et.
al., Druyan and Rind); on the effects of climate change on
artificial rain experiments (Rosenfeld, Levin); and on the
potential water supply of the region (Stanhill, Ben-Zvi).
The extensive evidence available in Israel from archeological and
archeo-botanic sources regarding past climates in the Middle East
is presented in papers by Issar, Waisel, Klein, Liphschitz and
Biger, Nir and Naveh. The impact of past climate change on the
human history of the region is discussed by the late Prof. Neumann.
Also included is a paper describing methods developed in Holland
that can be used in the future to protect coastal areas from the
rising sea (Waterman); a paper on the effects of climate change on
soil processes (Yaalon); a study describing possible impacts of the
escalating atmospheric CO2 concentrations on agriculture (Rosenberg
and Crosson); a summary of the possible effect on climate of
biogenic sulfur compounds (Georgii); and an analysis of the
ecological effects of climate change (Safriel).
Finally, the proceedings include an overview of the physics of the
phenomenon of atmospheric warming (Graber and Cohen), and a summary
of studies carried out by the UNEP Mediterranean regional unit
regarding the effects future climate change might have on some
Mediterranean countries (Jeftic).
Orders:
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