Humans on Earth: From Origins to Possible Futures (The Frontiers Collection)

This is a wide-ranging and persuasive book written by an undisputed expert. Beginning with a broad history of the Universe, Earth, Life, and Man, it considers the origins and rise of science and technology, before moving on to discuss the present state of the world and its/our possible futures. __Humans on Earth__ then addresses the main challenges for social and economic development in the 21st century in the context of global change. It presents a detailed but non-technical analysis of questions relating to climate change, our dependence on fossil fuels, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, desertification, and air, water, soil, and ocean pollution, as well as problems related to overpopulation, poverty, social and economic inequalities, and conflict potential. The three main, but largely mutually exclusive, discourses on human development and the environment are described and discussed. The main emphasis is on the risks and uncertainties of the short-term future – the next 50 to 100 years – with regard to environmental degradation and the sustainability of our growth paradigm. "... a sweeping, thoughtful view of the role of humans in shaping our modern world." Paul Epstein, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School This Is A wide-ranging And Persuasive Book Written By An Undisputed Expert. Beginning With A Broad History Of The Universe, Earth, Life, And Man, It Considers The Origins And Rise Of Science And Technology, Before Moving On To Discuss The Present State Of The World And Its/our Possible Futures. Humans On Earth Then Addresses The Main Challenges For Social And Economic Development In The 21st Century In The Context Of Global Change. It Presents A Detailed But Non-technical Analysis Of Questions Relating To Climate Change, Our Dependence On Fossil Fuels, Deforestation, Loss Of Biodiversity, Desertification, And Air, Water, Soil, And Ocean Pollution, As Well As Problems Related To Overpopulation, Poverty, Social And Economic Inequalities, And Conflict Potential. The Three Main, But Largely Mutually Exclusive, Discourses On Human Development And The Environment Are Described And Discussed. The Main Emphasis Is On The Risks And Uncertainties Of The Short-term Future – The Next 50 To 100 Years – With Regard To Environmental Degradation And The Sustainability Of Our Growth Paradigm. ... A Sweeping, Thoughtful View Of The Role Of Humans In Shaping Our Modern World. Paul Epstein, Center For Health And The Global Environment, Harvard Medical School 1. Science And Technology. From The Origins Up to The twenty-first Century -- 2. A Very brief History Of The Universe, Earth, And Life -- 3. The Contemporary Situation -- 4. The Future -- 5. Human Development And Environmental Discourses. By Filipe Duarte Santos. Annotation This is awide-ranging and persuasive book written by an undisputed expert. Beginning with a broad history of the Universe, Earth, Life, and Man, it considers the origins and rise of science and technology, before moving on to discuss the present state of the world and its/our possible futures. Humans on Earth then addresses the main challenges for social and economic development in the 21st century in the context of global change. It presents a detailed but non-technical analysis of questions relating to climate change, our dependence on fossil fuels, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, desertification, and air, water, soil, and ocean pollution, as well as problems related to overpopulation, poverty, social and economic inequalities, and conflict potential. The three main, but largely mutually exclusive, discourses on human development and the environment are described and discussed. The main emphasis is on the risks and uncertainties of the short-term future the next 50 to 100 years with regard to environmental degradation and the sustainability of our growth paradigm." ... a sweeping, thoughtful view of the role of humans in shaping our modern world." Paul Epstein, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School Front Matter....Pages i-xviii Science and Technology. From the Origins up to the Twenty-First Century....Pages 1-39 A Very Brief History of the Universe, Earth, and Life....Pages 41-119 The Contemporary Situation....Pages 121-264 The Future....Pages 265-295 Human Development and Environmental Discourses....Pages 297-338 Back Matter....Pages 339-409