The second edition summarises the major lessons to be learned from 550 million years of climate changes, as a way of evaluating the climatological impact on and by humans in this century. The book also looks ahead to possible effects during the next several centuries of fossil fuel use.

PART I: FRAMEWORK OF CLIMATE SCIENCE
Overview of Climate Science
Climatic Archives, Data and Models
PART II: TECTONIC-SCALE CLIMATE CHANGE
CO2 and Long-Term Climate
Plate Tectonics and Long-Term Climate
Greenhouse Earth
From Greenhouse to Icehouse: The Last 50 Million Years
PART III: ORBITAL-SCALE CLIMATE CHANGE
Astronomical Control of Solar Radiation
Insolation Control of Monsoons
Insolation Control of Ice Sheets
Orbital-Scale Changes in CO2 and Methane
Orbital-Scale Interactions, Feedback, and Unsolved Problems
PART IV: DEGLACIAL AND MILLENNIAL CLIMATE CHANGE
The Last Glacial Maximum
Climate During and Since the Last Deglaciation
Millennial Oscillations of Climate
PART V: HISTORICAL AND FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE
Humans and Pre-Industrial Climate
Climate Change During the Last 1000 Years
Climate Change Since 1850
Causes of the Warming of the Last 125 Years
Future Climate Change

WILLIAM F. RUDDIMAN retired from the University of Virginia at an early age and has since devoted his time to research, writing, and lecturing. He has written trade books and numerous journal articles. While at Virginia, he taught an introductory climate course on a regular basis, therefore much of the work in the book reflects lessons learned through his own experiences.