Preface to the Third Edition
Since the Second Edition seven years ago, research and debate on the is-
sue of human-induced climate change have grown at a rapidly increasing
pace. Observations of climate during this period have provided further
informationabout the warming Earth and there has been substantial
improvement in the models that simulate both past and future climate.
Although the main messages regarding the fact of human-induced cli-
mate change and its impact have not changed significantly (on the whole
they have been strengthened) more detailed understanding has been
achieved regardingthe basic science (including the uncertainties), the
likely impacts and the imperative for action. Hence the need to update this
book.
In 2001 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
published its Third Assessment Report–even more thorough and com-
prehensive than the first two. As co-chair of the scientific assessment
working group for all three of the IPCC reports, I have been privileged
to be a part of the IPCC process, which has been so effective in informing
the scientific community. Then, through that community, information has
been spread to decision makers and others regarding what is known about
climate change with some degree of certainty and also about the areas
where there remains much uncertainty. I have leant heavily on the IPCC
2001 Report in revisingthis text and wish to express my deep gratitude to
those many IPCC colleagues with whom I have worked and from whom
I have learnt so much. I have also benefited greatly from my association
with the UK Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, which
has become the world’s premier centre for climate modelling research.
My especial thanks are due to those who have provided me with
particular new material; Peter Cox, Chris Jones, Colin Prentice and Jo
House for Chapter 3; Chris Folland and Alan Dickinson for Chapters 4
and 5; Tim Palmer and Jonathan Gregory for Chapter 6; Martin Parry and
Rajendra Pachauri for Chapter 7; Stephen Briggs for material regarding
Envisat for Chapter 9; Aubrey Meyer for Chapter 10; Mark Akhurst,
Andre Romeyn, Robert Kleiburg, Gert Jan Kramer, Chris West, Peter
Smith and Chris Llewellyn Smith for Chapter 11; and William Clark for
Chapter 12. John Mitchell, Terry Barker and Susan Baylis kindly read
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