Book Summary of Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change by RJ Gurney, JL Foster, CL Parkinson

Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change, RJ Gurney, JL Foster, CL Parkinson, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993), 470pp.

The Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change is divided into eight major parts. Part I is of interest to those who are concerned with fluctuations in the earth's energy budget as a result of changes in the earth's atmosphere. The authors discuss solar irradiance and the radiation budget at the top of the atmosphere. Part II focuses on the stratosphere. Specifically the chemistry, temperature, ozone depletion, aerosols and temperature trends of the stratosphere are discussed. This section is of interest to those concerned with the increasing ozone depletion and its possible causes.

Part III is concerned with the troposphere. Tropospheric chemistry as well as water vapour and temperature; clouds and global observations of lightning are depicted in satellite images. Further, tropical and subtropical precipitation and surface wind velocity over the oceans are examined. This section will be of special interest to those interested in changing global weather patterns.

Part IV and V focuses closely on the oceans. Part IV presents images of ocean surface topography and circulation; sea surface temperature, oceanic biological productivity and ocean evaporation. Part V examines the ocean/atmosphere coupling with examination of El Nino's southern oscillation. These two sections will be of interest to those whose primary area of concern is the world's oceans.

Part VI is devoted to land masses. Satellite images show; topography, global vegetation patterns, desertification, coastal changes and volcanic activity. Part VII is focused on the cryosphere and thus presents images of global snow cover, sea ice, ice sheets and glaciers. Both section VI and VII are of interest to those concerned with land based changes. The concluding Part VIII is focused upon human-induced changes. Both the indications and effects of human activities are represented in satellite images.

While the science of satellite imaging requires a certain level of expertise to be understood, the images produced thereby are readily accessible with brief explanations of the particular technique used in obtaining the image. The Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change gives both the more technical information desired by professionals engaged in global change research as well as the brief explanations needed for the informed person to be able to utilize the satellite images to further her understanding of global change.