Despite intense efforts by scientists around the world, climate change has remained, until recently, mainly a scientific issue. This is unfortunate, as it has cost valuable time and placed the public at a disadvantage, without a clear understanding of the situation. Poor communication of the issue, and the resulting noncommittal global response to climate change, are at least partly owing to the reluctance of those in positions of dominance, particularly those whose dominance is a result of the fossil fuel and auto industries, to accept or admit that dangerous change is upon us. This dominant elite, including government officials, continues to benefit from the status quo, while the media, which could be just as adept at convincing people of the imminence of climate change and its impact on our economic and physical well-being as it is at selling new cars, has frequently buried the issue under controversy over conflicting personal opinions while obscuring the scientific facts.

I recently submitted an abstract based on some of the material covered in this book to organizers of a conference predominantly for oil and gas professionals. One conference executive – a consultant to the oil and gas industry who was charged with reviewing my expanded abstract – encouraged me to reconsider my approach before making my oral presentation. I double-checked the validity of my statements, corrected some minor errors that he had highlighted, ignored the more stinging and unsubstantiated criticisms, and presented my research. My oral presentation was extremely well received.