Earth System Science: A Very Short IntroductionOxford University Press, 25 feb 2016 - 144 pagina's When humanity first glimpsed planet Earth from space, the unity of the system that supports humankind entered the popular consciousness. The concept of the Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, soil, and rocks operating as a closely interacting system has rapidly gained ground in science. This new field, involving geographers, geologists, biologists, oceanographers, and atmospheric physicists, is known as Earth System Science. In this Very Short Introduction, Tim Lenton considers how a world in which humans could evolve was created; how, as a species, we are now reshaping that world; and what a sustainable future for humanity within the Earth System might look like. Drawing on elements of geology, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, Lenton asks whether Earth System Science can help guide us onto a sustainable course before we alter the Earth system to the point where we destroy ourselves and our current civilisation. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
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aerosols ancient anoxygenic Anthropocene atmospheric CO2 atmospheric oxygen biogeochemical cycles biological biosphere carbon cycle carbon dioxide cent Chapter chemical climate change climate system CO2 emissions complex concentration cooling David deep ocean Earth history Earth system models Earth system science Earth’s climate Earth’s crust Earth’s surface ecosystems energy eukaryotes evolved exoplanet Figure flux fossil fuel freshwaters fuelled Gaia Gaia hypothesis gases geological timescales Global Change global temperature global warming greenhouse habitable zone human hydrogen ice age ice sheet increase input isotopes land surface Late Heavy Bombardment long-term loop Lovelock material methane million years ago negative feedback negative feedback mechanism nitrogen nitrogen fixation nutrients ocean sediments organic carbon burial organic matter overturning circulation Oxidation oxygenic photosynthesis ozone phosphorus photosynthesis planet planetary boundaries plate tectonics positive feedback predict recycling regulation removal reservoir Revolution snowball Earth solar stability sunlight surface Earth system surface ocean sustainable today’s volcanic Whilst