One of five new additions to the EPICS range published in 2001, dealing with more popular topics for the new specifications. EPICS brings a fresh approach to topics of current interest, allowing students to acquire an up-to-date and in-depth understanding of geographical issues.

Students are helped to progress from GCSE and Standard Grade within each title, through regular questions and inquiry activities. The topic books are ideal for individual usage as the content is detailed and concise. This title offers valuable study for students with exam practice, as well as practice with the decision-making/inquiry approaches in the context of real places. Question banks focus on the development of core skills and will help students construct quality extended essays. Interest and motivation will be increased by the variety of approaches adopted by the various authors, all of whom are experienced educationalists.

Part 1 Setting the scene: changing climates
about this book. Part 2 Global climate: building a picture of climate
the global climate system
feedbacks in the system
the Earth's energy balance. Part 3 Evidence of climatic change: climatic change during the Quaternary period
evidence from the oceans and lakes
evidence-rich ice cores
some other sources. Part 4 Natural causes of climatic change: important forcing factors on geological time-scales
the Milankovich hypothesis
other possible causes
internal variations
summing up. Part 5 Human influences on climate: the rising tide of pollution
the record of atmospheric carbon dioxide
the record of global temperature
climate in the near future
sea-level changes
chlorofluorocarbons and the ozone hole. Part 6 Environmental effects of climatic change: unusual and extreme weather events
melting ice and sea-level change
forest fires and changes in wildlife distribution
flooding and desertification. Part 7 Impacts on people and human responses: responding to sea-level rise
changes in the tundra and northern forests
coping with changing water resources
responses in agriculture and other activities
some other consequences. Part 8 Planning for change: the planning context
doing nothing
doing something
acting comprehensively
conclusion
further reading and resources.