An inside tour of the incredible--and probably dangerous--plans to avoid climate change that may soon be our only hope The climate crisis could one day cause a catastrophe in America or Europe--an agricultural collapse, a terrible drought, widespread flooding--that would force nations to act quickly. But what actions could they take? Cutting emissions takes time and may not forestall the worst effects. But while politicians and the public have dithered and delayed, a community of scientific outsiders has been hard at work coming up with radical potential solutions. In "Hack the Planet," "Science" magazine writer Eli Kintisch investigates different scenarios proposed by scientists to tinker with the atmosphere. From making cement from coal plant exhaust to cloud-brightening, the options are wild, the science big, and the challenges fascinating. Describes all the mind-boggling plans geoengineers are planning for combating global warming, from growing algae blooms in the ocean (to capture carbon) to adding pollution to the atmosphere (to deflect the sun's rays) Outlines the four scenarios where climate change could be so quick and cataclysmic--like the economic collapse of 2008--that we'd need a global climate bailout Follows the scientists--brilliant and sometimes outlandish characters--as they work to make their dreams a reality With tons of carbon dioxide pouring into the atmosphere every second, "Hack the Planet" takes you to the front lines of the fight to stave off climate catastrophe and save humanity.