CMOS Bulletin SCMO
Vol. 45, No.2
27
Book Review
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Adjunct Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Carleton University, Canada
In Chapter 12, Peter changes poles to explain why the Antarctic is different from the Arctic. He recalls his
voyages to the Weddell Sea aboard FS
Polarstern
in describing the physical differences in the ice and the
annual cycle of the Antarctic sea ice. He cites well-known researchers to provide plausible reasons for why the
Antarctic sea ice appears to be increasing in extent while the Arctic is reducing so rapidly.
After building a formidable argument linking changes in the Arctic to global climate and anthropogenic forcing,
Peter presents a rather gloomy outlook in Chapter 13, “The State of the Planet”. He contends that even radical
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions cannot alter the disastrous course that has been set. Peter pulls no
punches in his criticism of politicians for failing to show leadership. Even Greenpeace and the World Wildlife
Foundation are criticized because of their opposition to nuclear energy and geoengineering.
Peter discusses several approaches to global scale geoengineering including cloud brightening to reduce the
absorption of solar radiation. However, he feels that the only way the targets of the 2015 Paris Agreement can
be reached is by direct removal of CO
2
from the atmosphere. He implores the world to mount a massive
research programme to develop the necessary technology – while using geoengineering to buy the time needed.
In the final chapter, “A Call to Arms”, Peter doubles down on his theme that “it is not enough to reduce carbon
emissions”. He calls for better science to improve the forecasts of climate change impacts while decrying the
potential for war and the “black tide of denial”, devoting several pages to rail against those in power who try to
dismiss the threat of climate change. He wraps it all up in “A Time for Battle” by giving an itemized account of
what individuals and society must do to avert the impending doom.
A Farewell to Ice is a compelling read. There is enough hard science to satisfy experts without intimidating the
laity. There are well over a hundred references to scientific literature. Personal anecdotes from Peter’s long
career are scattered throughout to lend a sense of reality to the science. Many readers will not welcome his
message but he presents it in a well-written, scientifically substantiated manner. It should be required reading for
all world leaders.
A Canadian Environmental Chronicle (1954-2015)*
by James P. Bruce
Canadian Water Resources Association, ISBN 978-1-896513-39-3
2016, 131 pages
Book reviewed by John Stone
1
*Available from the Canadian Water Resources Association
The author of this slim monograph, Jim Bruce, will be well known to members
of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) whether
it be through Environment Canada where he was Assistant Deputy Minister
(ADM) for the Environmental Management Service and the Atmospheric
Environment Service; through the World Meteorological Organization where he
was Acting Deputy Secretary-General and lead the creation of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); or from his founding of
the Canada Centre for Inland Waters and his life-long concern for water quality
and quantity in Canada.
The book is as much an autobiography as a history of the many environmental issues that threatened Canada
and the planet and with which the author has been deeply involved. It is a story of hope and disappointment, of
progress and retreat, of scientific advances and policy inaction. The book was to have concluded with
disappointment and a chapter entitled “Reflections: Environment in Decline”. That was until 2015 which
brought about a new progressive and environmentally sensitive government in Canada and the agreement of
governments in Paris to a global action plan to address climate change. Hence a cautious Postscript: “A More
Positive Future?”.
CMOS Bulletin SCMO
Vol. 45, No.2
28
The book’s chapters each deal with one of the environmental issues: Canadian Great Lakes water quality and
Jim’s involvement with the creation and running of the Canada Centre for Inland Waters; the long-range
transport of airborne pollutants including the remarkable success in dealing with acid rain despite the intractable
position of the United States; and ozone layer depletion and the establishment of the global response through
the Montreal Protocol. The issue of climate change permeates the book; indeed it is the subject of the book’s
longest chapter.
Jim’s involvement in these issues has been extensive and it is useful that the book provides a table with a
chronology of his career and the awards he has received – and I’m sure there are many that are missing such
as his important contribution to the establishment of the START program for the funding of global change
research in developing countries. Indeed the author is extraordinarily modest regarding his contributions and
goes to great length to mention many of his collaborators over the years including many CMOS members. He
also gives due recognition to his wife who has quietly supported his work and accompanied him on his
seemingly never-ending travels.
Jim provides examples of how decisions are made. One example is the move of Environment Canada’s climate
modelling group to Victoria. The Canadian Climate Centre was created within the Atmospheric Environment
Service (now the Meteorological Service of Canada) in 1979, following the First World Climate Conference, by
the then ADM Art Collin. Within the Centre was a small group of extraordinarily talented scientists, lead by
George Boer, who were determined to develop a Canadian climate model. The model was based on the
Environment Canada weather model. This model at the time did not include an ocean component. To fill this
lacuna George Boer approached Jim Bruce with the proposal to transfer the modelling group to the West Coast
where there were several groups with ocean modelling expertise. After some questioning of motives Jim gave
his approval.
However, Jim shortly afterwards left for Geneva and nothing was done until the federal Green Plan provided a
significant boost in the funding of climate science. At this time Kirk Dawson had replaced Howard Ferguson as
head of the Canadian Climate Centre and I had been appointed Director of climate research. George Boer then
approached me with the idea of moving his group out West. I took the proposal to the AES Management
Committee (who were then coincidentally meeting in Vancouver) and the new ADM, Liz Dowdeswell. The
University of Victoria was keen on hosting the climate modelling group and offered a spacious facility with free
heat, light and power – an arrangement later provided for by the Provincial government.
The author also provides some light on how climate policy has been developed in Canada. An example is the
development of Canada’s negotiating position before and during the Kyoto Conference of the Parties under the
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Prior to the negotiations there had been an extensive round of
discussions with the Provinces. The consensus was that Canada would promise to return emission to 1990
levels by 2010. During the negotiations the United States, with the aid of a negotiations gaming program offered
to reduce emissions by -7%. This made Canada’s 0% reduction target look weak.
In the middle of the negotiations the Canadian Head of Delegation, Paul Heinbecker, called the Prime Minister’s
Office to report on progress. Jean Chrétien did not want to see Canada so much out of line with the US and
unilaterally dictated a target of -6% much to the chagrin of the Provinces. Just how to meet this target was far
from clear but it included the use of forestry and agricultural carbon sinks (something which was scientifically
questionable) and the export of clean energy (such as hydro-power and natural gas) to reduce emissions
elsewhere with Canada taking the credit. To work out the details a series of sectoral round tables were
established which, according to Jim Bruce, was “an expensive bureaucratic exercise… that achieved very little”.
And then came the Harper government and Canada’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol
This book illustrates the importance of having the right person in the right place at the right time. It also shows
the importance of a strong enabling environment lead by the federal government in the context of cooperative
federalism – the environment knows no political boundaries. Let’s hope a copy of this book lands on the desk of
the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Book Review