Encyclopedia of Global Change: Environmental Change and Human Society 2 volumes [Hardcover]

Andrew S. Goudie (Editor), David J. Cuff (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 13, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0195108256 | ISBN-13: 978-0195108255 | Edition: 1

Mapping the relationship between human society and the Earth, the Encyclopedia of Global Change is the first general reference guide to the impact of politics, population, economics, and technology on the planet. Containing over 300 original, signed articles by distinguished scholars, it is the comprehensive work for this multi-discipline, high-profile field.
The Encyclopedia synethsizes current knowledge on natural and human-made changes in the Earth's physical , chemical, and biological systems and the effects of these changes on society. Areas such as altered ecosystems, climate change, food supply, water production and consumption, population, and the political impact of global change are covered in detail. And the clearly written articles also include responses to global modification, agreements and associations, institutions, policies, biographies, and case studies.
Enhanced by 1,500 illustrations, extensive cross-references, bibliographies, and an index, the Encyclopedia of Global Change links essential knowledge across many fields-geography, geology, geophysics, atmospheric science, political science, economics, technology, and others-in a resource that is both accessible and authoritative. The jargon-free language makes it an excellent work for the professional scholar as well as the interested general reader.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This encyclopedia focuses on the interaction of human and natural forces and the effect on global change. Its interdisciplinary approach embraces the fields of atmospheric science, biology, economics, ethics, geography, and political science. Some 300 articles, written by international scientists and researchers and edited by Oxford geologist Goudie, range over earth and earth systems, human factors, natural resources, biographies, case studies, and agreements. The alphabetically arranged entries include "Acid Rain and Acid Deposition," "Belief Systems," "Climate Change," "Fish Farming," "North Sea," "Snow Cover," and "World Bank." A typical entry is one on deforestation of Amazonia. First, the trends in human migration, farming, and industrialization are explored. The text then explains the impact of deforestation on biodiversity and water cycles and the consequences for global warming. The entry concludes with a discussion of current and future efforts to contain the problem. Each article has a bibliography, web sites when applicable, and cross references, and the work as a whole contains 750 black-and-white charts, tables, graphs, and maps. A comprehensive index rounds out the text. This is a unique, useful, and well-researched set, but it is only for academic and research libraries that have the need for subject-specific material. Eva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Clarkston
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This encyclopedia will be valued by anyone working in an environmental or earth science area, or just interested in current issues involving global change. It should be contained in the reference section of all public and school libraries."--American Reference Book Annual 2002

"A timely and important reference on a topic of pressing concern...Editor Andrew S. Gourdie and his contributors have done a real service by integrating a considerable amount of disparate information, giving it clarity and focus. As with most Oxford University Press titles, these two volumes represent an authoritative and thorough treatment by a group of dedicated scholars."--Against the Grain

"An excellent resource that covers an extremely broad range of topics concerning humanity's impact on Earth's climate...well-writen and highly informative."--Choice "The extremely long articles, with expert authors representing many different scientific fields, provide clear, detailed discussions on many environmental aspects of climate changes."--Reference Users and Services Quarterly

"Various definitions and interpretations of this interdisciplinary field of study are discussed in the preface and introduction, but the scope of this two-volume reference is described as global environmental change, primarily changes that affect the human rather than the geologic time scale, but which are either natural or anthropogenic. Goude (geography, Oxford U.) has brought together 300 substantial contributions from an international cast of experts, aiming to provide an in-depth reference for both the sophisticated layperson and the scientific community. Entries pertain to changes in climate, atmospheric physics and chemistry, land use and cover, marine environments and ice cover, biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems, natural resources, and socioeconomic balances. Each article is signed and includes cross-references and a bibliography."--SciTech Book News

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1424 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (December 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195108256
• ISBN-13: 978-0195108255
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.3 x 4.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,845,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your A to Z Guide to Humans Tearing Apart the Planet, c/o of a U.K. Geographer, March 13, 2008

By 

James Safranek "Holocene Meltwater" (Steinbeck Country) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Global Change: Environmental Change and Human Society 2 volumes (Hardcover)

It's no longer surprising to see an exceptional geographer's work go unnoticed here on Amazon. This author has no more than 2 reviews of his books yet, in my opinion, he's probably the UK's best physical geographer.

I've enjoyed many of his books over the years, from introductory textbooks to esoteric subject matter covering Goudie's specialties: desert geomorphology, chemical sediments, and arid lands ecohydrology.

But given our precarious position as the most destructive species in earth's history, it may be that this ambitious 2 volume set is the most critically important of Goudie's work. It would be especially useful for both college and public libraries (amazing that my own podunk library obtained a copy). Given the current price ($65), I suggest buying it if you are studying geography and can afford it. For an abbreviated treatment written from a mosty geologic perspective, consider THE ENCYCLOPAEDIC DICTIONARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE. As of today's date this pb is under 2 dollars and a superb deal in itself.

Written from a geographer's unique perspective, the great variety of entries in this encyclopedia are prescient, include extensive citations for additional research, and document the links between the rise of our species and recent global environmental change--the bread and butter of research geography. Given the pace of changes, the only drawback will be the need for a revision in a short span of time.