Climate extremes and society /

Diaz (US NOAA) and Murnane (Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Garrett Park, Maryland) have prepared an impressive edited volume of 16 papers focused on observed and projected changes in extreme climate events (8 papers) and their impacts (8 papers). The book exhibits many strengths that are not found elsewhere, including a chapter devoted to defining extremes and exploring their origins, consideration of nontemperature extremes (e.g., severe storms and wind and wave climates), and perhaps most importantly, the contemporary and potential future implications of extremes for society. While the book is divided into two major sections focused on extremes and their impacts, there is significant continuity both within the major sections and between them. As an example, one of the papers on impacts of climate extremes demonstrates the capability to integrate physical models with hazard models for loss estimation. Throughout the edited work, refereed literature is relied upon to bolster the positions of the chapter authors, who are respected experts. Climate extremes are of great relevance to society, and this volume provides a framework for understanding the physical science behind climate extremes and the science-business partnerships that may be required to produce an adequate societal response in a changing world. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, research, and professional readers. J. Schoof Southern Illinois University