Global Ecology

The magnitude and rapidity of global environmental change threatens the perpetuation of life on Earth. Many aspects of this crisis are familiar to us - the destruction of tropical rainforests, the hole in the Antarctic ozone, desertification, soil erosion - yet we avoid the underlying challenge of a rapidly deteriorating ecological system and the breadth and complexity of responses demanded. Integrating an analysis of both social and environmental needs, the book explores the premises and problems of different paths towards global management. With its emphasis on flexible response, Global Ecology furthers our understanding of biospheric change and of our abilities and weaknesses in managing the transition to a sustainable society.

Vaclav Smil is Professor of Geography at the University of Manitoba, Canada.

Chapter 1 ELUSIVE UNDERSTANDING; Chapter 2 EXISTENTIAL NECESSITIES; Chapter 3 ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE; Chapter 4 EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES; Chapter 5 CASCADING COMPLICATIONS; Chapter 6 POSSIBLE OUTCOMES;