The Earth as Transformed by Human Action: Global and Regional Changes in the Biosphere over the Past 300 Years [Paperback]

B. L. Turner II (Editor), William C. Clark (Editor), Robert W. Kates (Editor), John F. Richards (Editor), Jessica T. Mathews (Editor), William B. Meyer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0521446309 | ISBN-13: 978-0521446303

The Earth as Transformed by Human Action is the culmination of a mammoth undertaking involving the examination of the toll our continual strides forward, technical and social, take on our world. The purpose of such a study is to document the changes in the biosphere that have taken place over the last 300 years, to contrast global patterns of change to those appearing on a regional level, and to explain the major human forces that have driven these changes. The first section deals strictly with the major human forces of the past 300 years and the second is a detailed account of the transformations of the global environment wrought by human action. The final section examines a range of perspectives and theories that purport to explain human actions with regard to the biosphere.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Collectively, this is a superb and comprehensive volume.' Geology

' ... a landmark study, which will undoubtedly be a valuable reference and source of information for many years to come.' Geophysics

' ... an impressive and highly laudable undertaking by geographers to 'put it all together', that is, to establish a theoretical framework for assessing the environmental changes wrought by modern societies in the past three centuries, and to document these changes in detail. As such, the tome will serve as an indispensable reference and resource on global change. It will be used by all scholars, teachers and students concerned with the increasingly pressing issue of the environment and its management - or mismanagement - by humans everywhere on our planet.' Nature

'Despite the large number of authors and the enormous amount of information presented in each chapter, individual chapters read well, and the book as a whole is well-organised. The editors have produced a book with a clear conceptual theme and conformity of style among chapters; the tables and figures are exceptional. An important reference on human ecology that belongs in the library of every environmental scientist ...' Choice

Book Description

The purpose of this book is to document the changes in the biosphere that have taken place over the last 300 years, to contrast global patterns of change to those appearing on a regional level and to explain the major human forces that have driven these changes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 732 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521446309
• ISBN-13: 978-0521446303
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 1.5 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,268,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)