Global Warming: The Rising Storm

Retreating glaciers, more powerful hurricanes, devastating droughts and wildfires: these are just a few of the signs that global warming is ushering in a "rising storm" that heralds drastic climate changes within the coming century. Although the problem began with the birth of the industrial age 250 years ago, recent decades have witnessed an alarming acceleration of global warming, as more and more fossil fuels are burned to service the needs of an exploding world population, resulting in an increase in greenhouses gases, with subsequent dire effects. A companion double-disc set to Global Warming: Science and Solutions (VL-5/07), Global Warming: The Rising Storm visits many different ecosystems, ranging from the arid desert Southwest to Caribbean coral reefs, as experts point out what is taking place now and speculate on the future, when new weather extremes could force mass extinctions of plants and animals, flood coastal areas, and thaw arctic regions, thus reducing habitable areas for native populations while also releasing harmful elements (formerly trapped in arctic permafrost). Interviewed scientists worry that we're in a race against time and won't be able to deal with drastic social dislocations in the wake of global warming. Although the two discs—focusing on “warnings” and “predictions” respectively—illustrate problems rather than offer solutions, the conclusion strongly suggests that governments must summon the political will to tackle the issue and must do so now. DVD extras include an educator's guide, timelines and graphs, and Spanish subtitles. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)