num_pages: 153
description: When humanity first glimpsed planet Earth from space the unity of the system that supports humankind entered the popular consciousness. The concept of the Earth's atmosphere biosphere oceans soil and rocks operating as a closely interacting system has rapidly gained ground in science. This new field involving geographers geologists biologists oceanographers and atmospheric physicists is known as Earth System Science.In this Very Short Introduction  Tim Lenton considers how a world in which humans could evolve was created; how as a species we are now reshaping that world; and what a sustainable future for humanity within the Earth System might look like. Drawing on elements of geology biology chemistry physics and mathematics Lenton asks whether Earth System Science can help guide us onto a sustainable course before we alter the Earth system to the point where we destroy ourselves and our current civilisation.ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
language: English
title: Earth System Science: A Very Short Introduction
publisher: Oxford University Press