Earth System Analysis for SustainabilityHans-Joachim Schellnhuber MIT Press, 2004 - 454 էջ Demonstrates how understanding the intertwined evolution of the Earth's geosphere and biosphere can contribute to the achievement of global 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 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. |
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Toward a New Paradigm | 1 |
What Does History Teach Us about the Major Transitions | 29 |
Is Life an Unavoidable Planetary Phenomenon Given | 53 |
What Are the Necessary Conditions for Origin of Life | 73 |
Longterm GeosphereBiosphere Coevolution | 111 |
What Do We Know about Potential Modes of Operation | 141 |
Modes of Oceanic and Atmospheric Circulation during | 157 |
What Is the Quaternary Phasespace Topology According | 171 |
Anthropogenic Modification of Land Coastal and Atmospheric | 245 |
Assessing and Simulating the Altered Functioning of | 293 |
Earth System Dynamics in the Anthropocene | 313 |
The Mental Component of the Earth System | 341 |
What Kind of System of Science and Technology Is Needed | 367 |
Institutions Science and Technology in the Transition | 387 |
Sustainability | 409 |
435 | |
Possible States and Modes of Operation | 189 |
Human Footprints in the Ecological Landscape | 211 |
A Brief History of | 227 |