New Books: Climate Change and Cultural Heritage A Race against Time By Peter F. Smith (22 Aug 2013)

Climate Change and Cultural Heritage

A Race against Time

By Peter F. Smith

Routledge – 2014 – 216 pages

Descriptions:

History reveals how civilisations can be decimated by changes in climate. More recently modern methods of warfare have exposed the vulnerability of the artefacts of civilisation. Bringing together a range of subjects - from science, energy and sustainability to aesthetics theory and civilization theory - this book uniquely deals with climate change and the ensuing catastrophes in relation to cultural factors, urbanism and architecture. It links the evolution of civilisation, with special emphasis on the dynamics of beauty as displayed in architecture and urbanism, to climate change. It then considers both the historic and predicted impacts of climate change and the threat it poses to the continued viability of human civilisation when survival is the top priority.

This book gives students, researchers and professionals in architecture and sustainable design as well as anyone interested in the threat of global warming to civilisation, new insights as to what could be lost if action is not taken at a global level.

Contents:

1. Introduction: Bridging the Cultural Divide
2. Goldilocks 
3. The Evolution of Civilisation 
4. The Dynamics of Climate Change 
5. Climate and the Price of Progress 
6. Predictions for the UK 
7. The Race Against Time
8. From Climate to Civilisation and the Principle of Harmony 
9. Beyond the Maths 
10. The energy Dilemma 
11. Green Technologies - a sample 
12. Access to Clean Energy 
13. Carbon Dioxide Uncertainties 
14. Nuclear Developments and Complementary Technologies 
15. Essential Services Provided by Nature 
16. China, on the Ascent 
17. The Four Degrees Scenario

For more information: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415660044/