A Farewell to Ice

The most authoritative account yet of what is happening in the Arctic - the 'canary in the mine' of planetary changePeter Wadhams has visited the Polar Regions more often than any other living scientist and, from his observations and the latest scientific research, describes how dramatically sea ice has diminished over the past three decades. He shows how it is the 'canary in the mine' of planetary climate change, describing the vital role ice plays in reflecting solar heat back into space and providing an 'air conditioning' system for the planet. He demonstrates how a series of rapid feedbacks in the Arctic are accelerating change there more rapidly than almost all scientists (and political authorities) have realised, and the dangers of further acceleration are very real. A Farewell to Ice is a report from the frontline of planetary change in the Arctic and Antarctic by a leading authority. It is one of the most important books published in recent years about the existential challenge which human civilization now faces.

“Peter Wadhams brings huge expertise to his subject - and he is an excellent writer. He explains why the fate of Arctic ice is crucial for the world's climate and clarifies the controversies and complexities that confront scientists and policymakers. A fascinating book.--Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, President of the Royal Society 2005-10 Wadhams's particular combination - of scientific passion, a lyrical sense of wonder at the natural world, an ability to pluck clear analogies from the air, and outspoken analysis of consumer-capitalist politics - marks out A Farewell to Ice as essential reading.--John Burnside, New Statesman Peter Wadhams has written a passionate, authoritative overview of the role of ice in our climate system, past, present and, scarily, the future. The book is a compelling combination of personal experience, the unique and strange physical characteristics of glacial and sea ice, and his understanding about where the Earth is heading if serious action is not taken.--Carl Wunsch, Professor Emeritus of Physical Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology This most experienced and rational scientist states what so many other researchers privately fear but cannot publicly say - that the Arctic is approaching a death spiral which may see the entire remaining summer ice cover collapse in the near future.--John Vidal, Guardian”

Wadhams's particular combination - of scientific passion, a lyrical sense of wonder at the natural world, an ability to pluck clear analogies from the air, and outspoken analysis of consumer-capitalist politics - marks out A Farewell to Ice as essential reading. -- John Burnside New Statesman
A passionate, authoritative overview of the role of ice in our climate system, past, present and, scarily, the future. -- Carl Wunsch, Professor Emeritus of Physical Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Peter Wadhams is the UK's most experienced sea ice scientist. He was Director of the Scott Polar Institute in Cambridge 1987-92 and Professor of Ocean Physics at Cambridge 1992-2015. He has made more than 50 expeditions to both polar regions, working from ice camps, icebreakers, aircraft, and, uniquely, submarines. His has been awarded the W.S. Bruce Prize of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1977), the UK Polar Medal (1987) and the Italgas Prize for Environmental Sciences (1990). He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Member of the Finnish Academy.

Ice is beautiful and complex. It regulates our planet's temperature. And it is vanishing - fast. Peter Wadhams, the world's leading expert on sea ice, draws on his lifetime's research in the Arctic region to illuminate what is happening, what it means for the future, and what can be done. 'Wadhams' writing sparkles ... a lyrical sense of wonder at the natural world ... essential reading ... may be the best reader-friendly account of the greenhouse effect available to date' John Burnside, New Statesman 'This most experienced and rational scientist states what so many other researchers privately fear but cannot publicly say' John Vidal, Guardian 'Wadhams brings huge expertise to his subject - and he is an excellent writer' Martin Rees 'Utterly extraordinary' Jonathon Porritt

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