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Global change and the earth system : a planet under pressure
Authors: --- ---
ISSN: 16192435 ISBN: 3540408002 9783540265948 3540265945 9783540266075 9783540408000 Year: 2004 Publisher: Berlin: Springer,

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Abstract

The interactions between environmental change and human societies have a long, complex history spanning many millennia, but these have changed fundamentally in the last century. Human activities are now so pervasive and profound that they are altering the Earth in ways which threaten the very life support system upon which humans depend. This book describes what is known about the Earth System and the impact of changes caused by humans. It considers the consequences of these changes with respect to the stability of the Earth System and the well-being of humankind; as well as exploring future paths towards Earth System science in support of global sustainability.


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Changing Climates, Earth Systems and Society
Authors: ---
ISBN: 9789048187164 9789400733473 9789048187171 9789048187157 Year: 2010 Publisher: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands Imprint Springer

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The book covers state-of-the-art considerations on how climate change has and will deliver impacts on major globalised biophysical and societal themes that will affect the way the world functions. Human activity has resulted in changes to atmospheric chemistry and land cover, and caused serious decline in biodiversity. Modifying biogeochemical cycles leads to complex feedbacks. The future climate will have impact on food security and agriculture, water supply and quality, storm and cyclone frequency, shoreline stability, biodiversity and the future of biological resources. Earth scientists might be asked to forecast any potential abrupt or environmental surprises. A sound knowledge of the Earth System will improve the chances of achieving this, by developing climate models that will reduce the degree of uncertainty in regional climate prediction. This volume sets out a framework of research issues that show how the Earth sciences contribute to a better understanding of climate change and suggests where future research will best contribute to the wellbeing of society. The key topics discussed are: - climate change patterns over the last four glacial cycles; - the variability in climate over the last 1000 years; - impact that past climate change has had on societies; - the role of human activities in climate forcing; - the role of models in predicting future climate and how we can assess their merit; - the future and likely future climate trajectories.

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