Since the publication of the first edition nearly three years ago, interest in the issue of Global warming and concern about it has continued to grow. The Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) agreed at the Earth Summit in 1992 has been ratified and machinery for its implementation is gradually being developed. At the end of 1995, the IPCC produced a further comprehensive report updating the 1990 report. Although the main conclusions have not changed, much has been added to the detail of our knowledge regarding all aspects of the issue, the science, the impacts and the possible response. This revised edition takes into account this further information from the 1995 IPCC reports.

In the first edition I included a chapter, Chapter 8, with the heading ‘Why should we be concerned?’ which addresses the question of the responsibility of humans for the Earth and for looking after the environment. In it I presented something of the basis for my personal motivation as a Christian for being concerned with environmental problems. Although I believe that it is important that science is presented in the broad context of human values, I realised that the inclusion of such a chapter was something of a departure and wondered how it would be received.