Earth system analysis for sustainability

Earth System Analysis for Sustainability uses an integrated systems approach to provide a panoramic view of planetary dynamics since the inception of life some four billion years ago and to identify principles for responsible management of the global environment in the future. Perceiving our planet...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Schellnhuber, Hans-Joachim
Corporate Author: Dahlem Workshop on Earth System Analysis for Sustainability (2003, Berlin, Germany)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Cambridge, Mass. MIT Press in cooperation with Dahlem University Press 2004
Series:Dahlem workshop reports
Subjects:
Online Access:
Collection: MIT Press eBook Archive - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
Description
Summary:Earth System Analysis for Sustainability uses an integrated systems approach to provide a panoramic view of planetary dynamics since the inception of life some four billion years ago and to identify principles for responsible management of the global environment in the future. Perceiving our planet as a single entity with hypercomplex, often unpredictable behavior, the authors use Earth system analysis to study global changes past and future. They explore the question of whether the unprecedented human-originated changes transforming the ecosphere today will end a 10,000-year period of climate stability.The book presents the complete story of the inseparably intertwined evolution of life and matter on Earth, focusing on four major topics: long-term geosphere-biosphere interaction and the possibility of using extrasolar planets to test various geophysical hypotheses; the Quaternary Earth System's modes of operation; current planetary dynamics under human pressure; and transition to global sustainability. Written by leading figures in the disciplines of geology, climatology, evolution, biogeochemistry, macroeconomics, and institutions theory, Earth System Analysis for Sustainability analyzes the driving forces behind global change and uses this knowledge to propose principles to propose principles for global stewardship
Item Description:"Report of the 91st Dahlem Workshop on Earth System Analysis for Sustainabliity, Berlin, May 25-30, 2003"--Page [ii]
Physical Description:xiv, 454 pages illustrations, maps
ISBN:0262310635
9780262310635