Our Changing Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science and Global Environmental Change - Softcover

9780023736537: Our Changing Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science and Global Environmental Change

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0023736534 ISBN 13: 9780023736537

Publisher: Prentice Hall

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Our Changing Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science and Global Environmental Change

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From the Publisher

Presents an interdisciplinary discussion of global environmental change for the non-specialist in science. Provides a balanced, unified examination of the dynamic between natural change and human-induced change in the global environment. Explored first are the natural planetary systems at work (the natural exogenic systems of Earth), providing insightful coverage emphasizing the historical (geological) perspective on change as it discusses processes and change in the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and the biosphere systems. A detailed discussion of how human activities are influence these natural systems and the consequences that may result for ecosystems, humans and human infrastructures are provided. Areas of concern and interest include: deforestation, population and resource consumption, stratospheric ozone depletion, water usage and quality, global climatic change. The text concludes with a thought-provoking, prescriptive epilogue on the need for a new environmentally sustaining societal perspective. The first synthesis of the subject on a general level help it stand out as the new authoritative standard for engaging and accessible coverage.

From the Back Cover

The unifying theme of Our Changing Planet is consideration of aspects of both natural and human-induced global environmental change. Part I deals with the natural exogenic system of Earth. It emphasizes the historical (geologic) perspective of change and discusses processes and change in the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere systems. Part II demonstrates how human activities influence the natural system and the consequences of human-induced change for ecosystems, humans, and human infrastructures.

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