Living in the anthropocene : the earth in the age of humans

Explores the causes and implications of the Anthropocene, or Age of Humans, from multiple points of view including anthropological, scientific, social, artistic, and economic. Although we arrived only recently in Earth's timeline, humans are driving major changes to the planet's ecosystems. Even now, the basic requirements for human life--air, water, shelter, food, nature, and culture--are rapidly transforming the planet as billions of people compete for resources. These changes have become so noticeable on a global scale that scientists believe we are living in a new chapter in Earth's story: the Anthropocene, or Age of Humans. Living in the Anthropocene: Earth in the Age of Humans is a vital look at this era. The book contextualizes the Anthropocene by presenting paleontological, historical, and contemporary views of various human effects on Earth. It discusses environmental and biological systems that have been changed and affected; the causes of the Anthropocene, such as agricultural spread, pollution, and urbanization; how societies are responding and adapting to these changes; how these changes have been represented in art, film, television, and literature; and finally, offers a look toward the future of our environment and our own lives. A Collection Of Thirty-two Essays By Leading Thinkers Across The Disciplines. These Essays Explore The Anthropocene From Scientific, Anthropological, Social, Artistic, And Economic Points Of View. They Seek To Understand The Drivers Of Human-induced Environmental Change As Well As How People And Planetary Systems Are Adaptng To Such Change. Each Writer Offers Invaluable Insight Into Earth's Future As The Anthropocene Accelerates. Foreword / Elizabeth Kolbert -- Introduction / W. John Kress And Jeffrey K. Stine -- I The Advent Of The Anthropocene / J. R. Mcneill -- Thinking Like A Mountain In The Anthropocene / Scott L. Wing -- The Underwater Anthropoene / Douglass J. Mccauley -- What Will It Mean To Be Human? / Rick Potts -- Rethinking Economic Growth / Paula Caballero And Carter J. Brandon -- Ii Drivers Of Change -- The Fire That Made The Future / Stephen J. Pyne -- A New Dream Of The Earth / Wade Davis -- Locating Ourselves In Relation To The Natural World / Lindsay L. Clarkson -- Temperate Forest: A Tale Of The Anthropocene / Sean M. Mcmahon -- Urban Nature / Human Nature / Peter Del Tredici -- Atmospheric And The Anthropocene / Kelly Chance -- Beyond The Biosphere: Expanding The Limits Of The Human World / Lisa Ruth Band -- Iii Responding To Change -- Archaeology And The Future Of Our Planet / Torben C. Rick -- Living On A Changing Planet: Why Indigenous Voices Matter / Igor Krupnik -- Black And Green: The Forgotton Committment To Sustainability / Lonnie G. Bunch Iii -- Forest Succession And Human Agency In An Uncertain Future / Robin L. Chazdon -- Ocean 2.0 / J. Emmett Duffy -- The Earth Is A Garden / Ari Novy, Peter H. Raven, And Holly H. Shimizu -- Human Health In The Anthropocene / George E. Luber -- Iv Visual Culture -- The City In The Sea: Alexis Rockman's Anthropocene Imaginings / Joanna Marsh -- African Art And The Anthropocene / Karen E. Milbourne -- Why Polar Bears? Seeing The Arctic Anew / Subhankar Banerjee -- The Return Of The Boomerang / Luc Jacquet -- Filmaking In The Anthropocene / John Grabowska -- Picturing Planetary Peril: Visual Media And The Environment Crisis / Finis Dunaway -- V The Way Forward -- Dragons In The Greenhouse: The Value Of Knowledge And The Danger Of Uncertainty / Richard B. Alley -- Why Scientist And Engineers Must Work Together / G. Wayne Clough -- Hazards To Our Heritage: Choices And Solutions / Corine Wegner -- The Unequal Anthropocene / Rob Nixon -- The Global Commons / Naoko Ishii -- Can We Redefine The Anthropocene? / Thomas E. Lovejoy -- Afterword / Edward O. Wilson. Edited By W. John Kress And Jeffrey K. Stine ; Foreword By Elizabeth Kolbert ; Afterword By Edward O. Wilson ; [essays By] Richard B. Alley [and 33 Others]. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A collection of thirty-two essays by leading thinkers across the disciplines. These essays explore the Anthropocene from scientific, anthropological, social, artistic, and economic points of view. They seek to understand the drivers of human-induced environmental change as well as how people and planetary systems are adapting to such change. Each writer offers invaluable insight into Earth's future as the Anthropocene accelerates. --adapted from jacket