How Could We Harness a Hurricane? by Vicki Cobb. 48 p. Seagrass Press, August 1, 2017. 9781633222465. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)
I'm always on the lookout for books about extreme weather partly because one of my science teachers has a big unit on it but also because it's fascinating. This book will fascinate, but it will also stimulate young scientists to question and, perhaps, generate possible solutions. In order to solve a problem one must understand it. Cobb unpacks the science behind hurricanes deftly explaining concepts of air and pressure and its interaction with water in a Q&A format. There are tons of great photos and diagrams to illustrate. Then she reviews the various ways scientists have sought to "harness a hurricane." As I was reading this section, I was reminded of a commercial from the early seventies for margarine. I can't remember which brand but the upshot was, "You can't fool Mother Nature!" She was fooled by the margarine, but she got her revenge. And then, I turn the page and find that the concluding chapter is entitled, "Should we mess with Mother Nature?" Cobb speaks to the difficulty meteorologists continue to have in forecasting a hurricane's path and intensity. When do we deploy expensive resources? And, as much damage as hurricanes cause, there are positive effects. Also, we must seriously consider the unintended consequences of our meddling.
The glossary spans nearly three pages. The selected bibliography contains older titles written by respected informational authors. There's also a list of links to websites and videos made by the author.
Thank you for "getting" my book as Hurricane Harvey bears down on the Texas coastline. A hurricane is Earth's safety valve to move excess heat energy from the sea to the stratosphere in a hurry. In some ways it is a good thing for the planet.
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