Ebook A Vast Machine Computer Models Climate Data and the Politics of Global Warming Infrastructures Paul N Edwards 9780262518635 Books

Product details Series Infrastructures Paperback 546 pages Publisher MIT Press (February 8, 2013) Language English ISBN-10 0262518635

A Vast Machine Computer Models Climate Data and the Politics of Global Warming Infrastructures Paul N Edwards 9780262518635 Books Reviews

• A VAST MACHINE is an excellent historical review of meteorology/climatology.However, mathematical treatment of fluid dynamics is very complex. The advent of computers has greatly enhanced weather prediction and analysis, but even today in meteorology five to six days forecasts are at best are only eighty to eighty five percent accurate. Forecasting years ahead, as in climatology are, in my estimation, only educated guesses. We simply don't have a comprehensive enough data base, in climatology, for dependable forecast analysis even with computer models. Although Mr.Edwards presents his case admirably, I am not convinced we are ready to forecast climate with any degree of accuracy now or in the foreseeable future.
• "Probably the best overview book about the workings of meteorology and climatology, this book also serves as a refresher course for people in the business. As a "seasoned" climatologist, reading this book was like visiting an old friend, and meeting all the children and descendants.
  
  His book, as he puts it, presents "an historical account of climate science as a global knowledge infrastructure". As such, it's a must read for anyone new to climatology as it give not only a useful history of the development of the systems we rely upon (WMO, WWW, GCOS, WCRP, IPCC, etc) but also puts to to rest some past controversies (myth of cooling, the MSU errors, bias removal in GHCN). I was impressed by Edwards' use of recent papers by Peterson, Karl, Easterling, well blended with older works references by Smagarenski, Sagen, Manabe. And of course his good friend, the late Schneider is there throughout.
  
  Edwards makes the point that it is through models that we revamp our knowledge about climate, whether these are simulation models based on physical theory, reanalysis models that blend observations with forecast simulations into uniform global data, or data analysis models that produce coherent data from heterogeneous, time-varying information. Climate knowledge works like historians work; there is always more to learn about the past.
  
  The book suffered a bit, I think, from not using Zillman's excellent (and short!) history of climate progress (though I might have missed it in the 67 pages of references! A time line of the decades of progress in understanding climate change, from GARP, Villach, Espoo, Rio, etc. would have helped.
  
  I especially enjoyed the description of reanalysis (chapter 12), the summary of pre-19th century observations, and best of all, the Greek derivation of climate - klima - from "inclination" - the slant of the suns rays with latitude with the tilt of the earth. Best of all, I see that Edwards has a degree in "Science, Technology, and Society" - exactly the course of study my son is following - along with an engineering degree. If Edwards' book is any guide, this is certainly what we need more of.
  
  I'd be remiss if I didn't add that Edwards includes useful, dispassionate, historical references to S. Fred Singer's questionable work in fighting the science of climate change, acid raid, and the ozone hole! Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose".
  A Vast Machine Computer Models, Climate Data, and the Politics of Global Warming
• The Author revisits the definitions of infrastructure and data at depths that I personally have not encountered before and his articulations have considerably enriched my understanding of both these concepts and helped me better perceive their roles in several fields infrastructure in the area of networking and data in the field of climate science. Having read this book I now perceive infrastructure as including perceptual structures that influence and constrain our perceptions and I understand data as being generated through perceptual processes.
  
  The authors portrayal of the meteorological weather forecasting networks enables the perception of their growing across the face of earth and linking up to form a global network that generated the World Meteorological Organization in 1950 and the Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change in 1988 gives a clear portrayal of the rising of a Global Network of scientists capable of perceiving planetary processes and providing the human species with strategic guidance.
  
  These perceptions and their articulation are nested in a bed of very deep and detailed information regarding data, data generating methodologies and processes as well as significant events that every serious student of climate sciences will benefit from familiarizing themselves with.
• An excellent and clear explanation of the history of weather data collection and its interpretation and use in climate modelling, including much of relevance for anyone considering issues around big data.