Breathing Space : The Natural and Unnatural History of Air

In this book Mark Everard argues that governments and citizens too often take the air we breathe for granted. Air and the wider atmosphere are vital in protecting us from radiation, maintaining climate and weather patterns, dispersing water, seeds and pollen, and serving as an alternative source of energy. Breathing Space overturns conventional thinking on the atmosphere, and is the first book to properly integrate air into the wider environmental discourse. Outlining the structure and development of the atmosphere, Everard assesses its importance within the environment as a whole. Everard's work represents the long overdue incorporation of air into our wider understanding of ecosystems, and argues persuasively for the need for governments to recognise the importance of air as a resource. A must read for scholars, students and activists. "We too often take the air we breathe for granted. Air and the wider atmosphere are vital in protecting us from radiation, maintaining climate and weather patterns, dispersing water, seeds, and pollen, and in serving as a source of alternative energy. Despite this, air remains neglected in environmental policy, with its ownerless, borderless nature making it difficult to campaign and legislate around. Breathing Space overturns conventional thinking on the atmosphere, and is the first book to properly integrate air into the wider environmental discourse. Outlining the structure and development of the atmosphere, Everard assesses its importance within the environment as a whole, arguing persuasively for the need for governments and activists to recognise the importance of air as a resource, and for the need for more effective and coherent policies on air regulation. The incorporation of air into our understanding of ecosystems and the environment has long been overdue, and Everard's work represents vital reading for scholars and students of environmental policy, as well as for environmental activists and those seeking to understand the challenges that lie ahead. Everard's work represents the long overdue incorporation of air into our wider understanding of ecosystems, and argues persuasively for the need for governments to recognise the importance of air as a resource. A must read for scholars and students of the environment, and for environmental activists."-- Publisher's description

In this book Mark Everard argues that governments and citizens too often take the air we breathe for granted. Air and the wider atmosphere are vital in protecting us from radiation, maintaining climate and weather patterns, dispersing water, seeds and pollen, and serving as an alternative source of energy.

Breathing Space overturns conventional thinking on the atmosphere, and is the first book to properly integrate air into the wider environmental discourse. Outlining the structure and development of the atmosphere, Everard assesses its importance within the environment as a whole.

Everard's work represents the long overdue incorporation of air into our wider understanding of ecosystems, and argues persuasively for the need for governments to recognise the importance of air as a resource. A must read for scholars, students and activists.

Air is vital to human existence—it protects us from radiation, maintains climate and weather patterns, disperses seeds and pollen, and serves as an alternative energy source. Despite all of this, air remains neglected in environmental policy, with its ownerless, borderless nature making it difficult to campaign and legislate. Breathing Space is the first book to properly integrate air into the wider environmental discourse. Mark Everard assesses the atmosphere’s structure and its role within our overall environment and argues persuasively for the necessity of governments’ and activists’ recognition of air as a vital resource, as well as the dire need for more effective worldwide policies on air regulation. This work is long overdue and a must-read for scholars, environmental activists, and anyone interested environmental policy. Air and the making of the atmosphere -- Living in a bubble -- What does air do for us? -- Abuses of the air -- Managing our impacts on air -- Thinking in a connected way -- Rediscovering our place in the breathing space -- Resolution for integrated management of the airspace -- Annex: Ecosystem services and the ecosystem approach