Acknowledgments vii
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 The Science Behind Predictions of Climate Change 9
Chapter 2 Historical Evidence on Climate and Human Well-being 23
Historical Evidence 24
Measurement of Human Well-being 26
Climate History 27
The First Climatic Optimum 37
Cooler, More Varied, and Stormy Times 43
The High Middle Ages and Medieval Warmth 46
The Mini Ice Age 60
Happiness is a Warm Planet 67
Chapter 3 Health Effects of Global Warming 69
Introduction 69
Torrid Summers 72
Mosquito Borne Diseases 75
Cholera 78
Overall Health Effects 82
Seasonal Effects 82
Climatic Effects 84
Morbidity 85
Conclusion 87
Chapter 4 Weather Benefits and Other Environmental Amenities 89
The Value of Biodiversity 98
Chapter 5 The Economic Costs (Benefits?) of a Warmer World 103
Past Studies 104
The Effects of Global Warming on Various Sectors 113
Chapter 6 Slowing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Politics and Costs 129
The Administration Proposal 132
Other Proposals 135
The World Debate 136
The Kyoto Agreement 139
If We All Cooperate 152
The Precautionary Principle 154
Where Are We and Where Should We Be Going 156
References 159
Index 169