Introduction to Climate Science - 1st Edition

Reviewed by Sam Pennypacker, Instructor, Portland Community College on 6/18/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text is a nice introduction to all of the standard content for a lower-division climate science/change course. Depending on what you emphasize in your course, you could easily consider bringing in other resources/readings, particularly around climate impacts. Includes a nice glossary and in-text vocabulary links.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I did not notice any technical errors that would impact the reliability and usability of this text. The material is well-sourced. The final chapters, which provide introductions to the socio-economic and ethical dimensions of climate change written by other expert contributors from relevant fields (economics, philosophy, etc…) inevitably include some level of what some might call “bias” or perspective – but I would argue not in any way that a reasonable person could find objectionable. Some of the Solutions material may change and be updated as policy and technology evolve rapidly in this space. Instructors can easily supplement this section with other resources as needed.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The text uses terminology (e.g., using SSPs instead of RCPs), information, and figures from the most recent IPCC report (AR6). They also include key figures on the carbon cycle from Global Carbon Project reports within the last few years. Much of this will inevitably change with future reports, but many of these figures are reasonably standardized with each iteration and will allow for easy updates in the future. Includes citations from recent peer reviewed literature. Nicely provides links to data visualization websites from agencies like NASA and NOAA so students can see the most up-to-date climate system observations as time progresses. As noted above, climate policy and the feasibility of various climate change solutions discussed in the final chapter may change quickly but can be easily supplemented with other resources.

Clarity rating: 4

Mostly written at a good level for a lower-division climate science/climate change course. Some of the topic presentations, particularly in the Theory chapter, are more advanced and/or require the reader to have a fair degree of comfort with math, chemistry, or physics. Depending on the prerequisites for the course you are using this text in, you might have to be more selective in assigning these portions as reading or make adjustments for these important concepts.

Consistency rating: 5

Presentation and framing seems consistent.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is reasonably modular and an instructor could be selective or surgical in assigning portions for reading or reference in class. Most portions could also be combined with other OER texts with ease. Some degree of self-reference is necessary – as science itself builds on itself, science instruction often does, as well. Figures are captioned well and many could function as standalone resources, themselves.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Nicely organized with clear thought provided to the flow of topics. Some are in a different order than I teach in, but that is more subjective for each instructor.

Interface rating: 5

The figures are clear and readable. The navigation bar and Table of Contents are straightforward. There is good spacing. It would be nice to have the navigation bar come down with you as you scroll through a page, but the return to top of page feature is useful and gets you back to where you can change pages easily. Overall, a nicely constructed online text interface.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not notice any errors that would impact the usability of this text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

I did not notice any offensive language. Some consideration of the concepts of climate justice in the Ethics chapter.

Comments

Overall a nice open-source text that will be very useful for those teaching introductory climate science/change or related courses!

Reviewed by Nyasha Dunkley, Adjunct Faculty, Massasoit Community College on 6/22/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Great comprehensiveness look at a challenging subject. It covered all of the necessary introductory content for a climate science course.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Content is accurate and frequently includes references to outside resources to help validate information and provide more detailed explanations.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The textbook is written so that it is easy to incorporate it into courses with current data and discussions.

Clarity rating: 5

Written very clearly and easy to understand for the non-science majors.

Consistency rating: 4

The text makes a good attempt at consistency, but falls a bit short as it relates to the tone and style of each chapter.

Modularity rating: 5

Each chapter provides sufficient material to be used in sections of a climate course.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The content in each chapter is presented in an organized and clear manner that is easy to follow.

Interface rating: 5

I especially appreciate the clarity of the images and charts utilized in each section.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

Just a few small grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Text appears culturally sensitive and unoffensive.

Comments

Very good introductory climate science textbook overall.

Reviewed by George Nolly, Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 7/11/20

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Very comprehensive treatment of a complex subject. I was especially impressed with the currency of the information, including reference to the Corona Virus we are currently experiencing. My only disappointment was in the omission of any discussion of hydrothermal vents in the discussion of the ocean's effect on climate.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The book is filled with links to external sources from government resources and formulas to explain various processes.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The inclusion of the mention of the Corona Virus indicates that the discussions in the book are timely and relevant.

Clarity rating: 5

The book clearly explains climate processes in a forthright manner.

Consistency rating: 3

Because the chapters were written by different authors/sets of authors, the chapters are noticeably different in their tone and substance.

Modularity rating: 5

The chapter divisions make it easy to use relevant material from one chapter without relying on information from another chapter.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

I thought the organization was comprehensive and clear. It is easy to find information on a single aspect of climate science without interference from other sections.

Interface rating: 5

Each chapter is a stand-alone text for the discrete subject, including references and footnotes.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

I found a few spelling/grammatical errors, but they were minor.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

The book clearly has a liberal bias, and I found it absurd to include a quote from a twelve-year-old about climate in what otherwise is an erudite book.

Comments

Overall, very comprehensive treatment of climate science.