Earth System Science: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Earth System Science regards the Earth as an integrated system of interacting atmosphere, oceans, rocks, and biosphere. In this Very Short Introduction, Tim Lenton explores its development over 4.6 billion years, its present state, and its future.

Tim Lenton is a Professor at the University of Exeter, where he is also Chair in Climate Change and Earth Systems Science. His research focuses on understanding the behaviour of the Earth as a whole system, especially through the development and use of Earth system models. He worked closely with James Lovelock developing the Gaia theory and trying to reconcile it with evolutionary theory. His work identifying climate tipping points won the Times Higher Education Award for Research Projects of the Year 2008. His books include Revolutions that Made the Earth (OUP, 2013), which he co-authored with Andrew Watson.