The signs of global catastrophe are already evident: melting ice caps, rising temperatures, and more natural disasters. As the shocking ramifications of global warming come into clearer focus, countries around the world are trying to figure out ways to limit greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to ongoing climate change. U. N. Secretary Ban Ki-moon has called climate change "the defining challenge of our age" and the world community has agreed to finalize negotiations on a new climate agreement in Copenhagen in late 2009.

State of the World 2009: Into a Warming World is the 26th edition of this popular series of books and it contains reports by 47 authors. Worldwatch Vice President for Programs Robert Engleman, project co-director for State of the World 2009 has observed:

"We're privileged to live at a moment of history when we can still avert a climate catastrophe that would leave the planet hostile to human development and well-being. But there's not much time left. Sealing the deal to save the global climate will require mass public support and worldwide political will to shift to renewable energy, new ways of living, and a human scale that matches the atmosphere's limits."

In their article "The Perfect Storm," Christopher Flavin and Robert Engleman outline ten challenges (including healing land, creating strong institutions, thinking long-term) that must be met in order to create the world of zero net gain greenhouse gas emissions that will be needed to achieve climate stability. Equally impressive are six policy chapters and 22 climate connections (reducing black carbon, pressures on biodiversity, the role of cities, building resilience to draught, geoengineering, and more) to bring about change. This valuable resource concludes with a "Climate Change Reference Guide" and a "Glossary of 38 Key Terms for Understanding Climate Change."