This book collects together, for the first time, the classic scientific papers that comprise the scientific foundation for the forecast of global warming and its consequences. The book is collected into five thematic sets, each with an introductory chapter on the context, the personalities, and the aftermath of the ideas. The introductions also provide a brief status update on the topics of the papers, with up-to-date references and figures where appropriate. Short comments printed in boxes throughout the texts will further highlight the critical ideas and help guide the casual reader. The intention of the book is to give students a real sense of the excitement of intellectual discovery, and also to convey the deep historical roots of the climate change forecast.