Patch Blog: Learn About Global Warming at Library Thursday

An Author Night program with Don Rapp will be presented on Thursday, June 21 at 7 p.m. in the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room. Dr. Rapp will be making a presentation about his latest title, “The Climate Debate,” published in February 2012.

Unlike most books on climate change, Rapp's clearly presents both sides of the debate about global warming and demonstrates why even the most reliable data is inconclusive despite the fact that so many climatologists are so willing to claim otherwise. Dr. Rapp’s book weighs the best evidence and presents a balanced and reasoned view that avoids wild, alarmist claims, while admitting that rising concentrations of greenhouse gases will nevertheless produce some warming. With an accomplished scientist’s objectivity and a skilled teacher’s ability to communicate, he offers lucid, unheated explanations about the impacts on our planet brought about by the increase in greenhouse gases.

Donald Rapp has lived in South Pasadena since 1979. He received his Master’s from Princeton and Ph. D. from Berkeley. He has half a century of experience as a professor, scientist, and engineer. He was full professor at the University of Texas and later, Chief Technologist of the Mechanical and Chemical Systems Division of JPL/Caltech. He is known for his unique capability to pull together the disparate elements of diverse subjects into cohesive, clear expositions. He has published seven books on such varied topics as Mars space missions, ice ages, financial bubbles, solar energy, as well as quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics.

The program, also featuring a PowerPoint, is presented by the South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library. The Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street and doors will open at 6:30 p.m. No tickets or reservations are necessary and refreshments will be provided.