Introduction

An impressive group of climate change and biodiversity conservation experts
joined together to write a comprehensive analysis of the causes, impacts,
and solutions for climate change.

INTRODUCTION AUTHORS
Russell A. Mittermeier, Michael Totten, Laura Ledwith Pennypacker,
Frederick Boltz, Glenn Prickett, Guy Midgley, Cristina G. Mittermeier,
Alistair Graham, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Thomas Brooks,
Lee Hannah, Benjamin Vitale, Cyril Kormos, Katrina Brandon,
Timothy Killeen, Toby Janson-Smith, Lisa Handy, Michael Kennedy,
José Maria Cardoso da Silva, Peter A. Seligmann, Claude Gascon,
Olivier Langrand, Lisa Famolare, David Singh, Jorgen Thomsen,
Roberto Cavalcanti, Frank Hawkins, Leon Rajaobelina,
James Mackinnon, Luis Suárez, Jatna Supriatna, Alexander Peal,
Luis Espinel, Vance Martin, Fabio Arjona, Eduardo Forno, Leo Braack,
Mohamed Bakarr, Niels Crone


The world is waking up to climate change. Books and articles on the
issue abound, and it is the subject of constant media attention. So
why is there a need for a book such as this one? The reason is simple.
The search for solutions to human-driven climate change requires an
understanding of the natural world, its species, its ecosystems, and its
cycles.
The emerging perception of climate is a fragmented one, colored by personal
belief, political persuasion, education, and economic wealth and aspiration,
among other powerful influences. A coherent message from conservationists is
needed to place the risk of anthropogenic (human-influenced) climate change
in context by clarifying how its causes, impacts, and solutions derive from
the intricate, delicate balance between modern society and the natural world. In
the following pages and chapters, we examine a wide range of climate issues,
with particular emphasis on how natural environments can contribute to and
benefit from measures to address climate change.