Product Description

This new undergraduate textbook provides a basic grounding in the science of global change. Although the climate has been changing constantly throughout Earth′s history, human impacts on the system are relatively recent. The authors base the philosophy of the book on the view that an understanding of natural global change is necessary to assess the impact of human activity. Early chapters introduce the student to the basic science of earth systems. Later chapters consider anthropogenic effects against a background of natural climate change, and discuss the implications of continuing change for agriculture, health and demographic issues

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #628559 in Books
• Published on: 1996-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
′It is always inspiring to read about triumphs, especially when so many forces have been brought together in a grand campaign. Thus, this book, presenting an up–to–date view of geological history, the ice ages, the global carbon cycle, the cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus, the fate of ozone and pesticides, human energy use, desertification, forest clearance and biological diversity, is both a splendid introduction to environmental science and a tribute to scientific endeavour worldwide ... the factual material is presented simply, assuming only a minimum of background knowledge. The sheer excitement of the science, the wealth of facts and the clarity of the exposition will make it an ideal undergraduate and masters degree course book.′ Mark Hill in Trends in Ecology and Evolution

From the Back Cover
This new undergraduate textbook provides a basic grounding in the science of global change. Although the climate has been changing constantly throughout Earth′s history, human impacts on the system are relatively recent. The authors base the philosophy of the book on the view that an understanding of natural global change is necessary to assess the impact of human activity. Early chapters introduce the student to the basic science of earth systems. Later chapters consider anthropogenic effects against a background of natural climate change; and discuss the implications of continuing change for agriculture, health and demographic issues

Customer Reviews

A great wider perspective text on global climate change.
This book offers readers a real insight to the rates off, reasons for and concequences resulting from global climate change.
It is recommended for degree level biologists whom need a factual if somewhat basic insight into climate change, a topic often covered in the ecology part of the course.
At the lower end of the price scale for climate change texts this is a well recommended purchase.
James W. Gordon - First year biologist University of Durham