Earth system analysis for sustainability / edited by Hans Joachim Schellnhuber [and others].

Format:

Book

Conference/Event

Contributor:

Schellnhuber, Hans-Joachim.

Conference Name:

Dahlem Workshop on Earth System Analysis for Sustainability (2003 : Berlin, Germany)

Series:

Dahlem workshop reports

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Environmental sciences--Congresses.

Environmental sciences.

System analysis--Congresses.

System analysis.

Sustainable development--Congresses.

Sustainable development.

Human ecology--Congresses.

Human ecology.

Genre:

Conference papers and proceedings.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiv, 454 pages) : illustrations, maps.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press in cooperation with Dahlem University Press, [2004]

System Details:

text file

Summary:

Earth System Analysis for Sustainability uses an integrated systems approach to provide a panoramic view of planetary dynamics since the inception of life some four billion years ago and to identify principles for responsible management of the global environment in the future. Perceiving our planet as a single entity with hypercomplex, often unpredictable behavior, the authors use Earth system analysis to study global changes past and future. They explore the question of whether the unprecedented human-originated changes transforming the ecosphere today will end a 10,000-year period of climate stability.The book presents the complete story of the inseparably intertwined evolution of life and matter on Earth, focusing on four major topics: long-term geosphere-biosphere interaction and the possibility of using extrasolar planets to test various geophysical hypotheses; the Quaternary Earth System's modes of operation; current planetary dynamics under human pressure; and transition to global sustainability. Written by leading figures in the disciplines of geology, climatology, evolution, biogeochemistry, macroeconomics, and institutions theory, Earth System Analysis for Sustainability analyzes the driving forces behind global change and uses this knowledge to propose principles to propose principles for global stewardship.

Contents:

Dahlem Workshops vii

1 Science for Global Sustainability: Toward a New Paradigm / W. C. Clark, P. J. Crutzen, H. J. Schellnhuber 1

2 What Does History Teach Us about the Major Transitions and Role of Disturbances in the Evolution of Life and of the Earth System? / T. M. Lenton, K. G. Caldeira, E. Szathmary 29

3 Is Life an Unavoidable Planetary Phenomenon Given the Right Conditions? / F. Westall, F. D. Drake 53

4 What Are the Necessary Conditions for Origin of Life and Subsequent Planetary Life-support Systems? / S. A. Franck, G. A. Zavarzin 73

5 Destiny of Humankind from an Astrobiology Point of View: Does Astrobiology Provide an Exit Option for Terrestrial Mismanagement? / G. Horneck, H. J. Schellnhuber 91

6 Group Report: Long-term Geosphere-Biosphere Coevolution and Astrobiology / T. M. Lenton, Rapporteur, K. G. Caldeira, S. A. Franck, G. Horneck, A. Jolly, E. Rabbow, H. J. Schellnhuber, E. Szathmary, F. Westall, G. A. Zavarzin, H. Zimmermann-Timm 111

7 What Do We Know about Potential Modes of Operation of the Quaternary Earth System? / M. Claussen, H. Held, D. P. Schrag 141

8 Modes of Oceanic and Atmospheric Circulation during the Quaternary / S. Rahmstorf, F. Sirocko 157

9 What Is the Quaternary Phase-space Topology According to Cryosphere Dynamics? / A. J. Payne 171

10 Group Report: Possible States and Modes of Operation of the Quaternary Earth System / A. J. Watson, Rapporteur, V. Brovkin, M. Claussen, P. G. Falkowski, H. Held, A. J. Payne, S. Rahmstorf, R. J. Scholes, D. P. Schrag, F. Sirocko 189

11 Human Footprints in the Ecological Landscape / P. G. Falkowski, D. Tchernov 211

12 How Humankind Came to Rival Nature: A Brief History of the Human-Environment Condition and the Lessons Learned / B. L. Turner II, S. R. McCandless 227

13 Anthropogenic Modification of Land, Coastal, and Atmospheric Systems as Threats to the Functioning of the Earth System / M. O. Andreae, L. Talaue-McManus, P. A. Matson 245

14 Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate in the Anthropocene: Where Are We Heading? / P. J. Crutzen, V. Ramanathan 265

15 Assessing and Simulating the Altered Functioning of the Earth System in the Anthropocene / P. M. Cox, N. Nakicenovic 293

16 Group Report: Earth System Dynamics in the Anthropocene / W. Steffen, Rapporteur, M. O. Andreae, B. Bolin, P. M. Cox, P. J. Crutzen, U. Cubasch, H. Held, N. Nakicenovic, L. Talaue-McManus, B. L. Turner II 313

17 The Mental Component of the Earth System / W. Lucht, R. K. Pachauri 341

18 What Kind of System of Science (and Technology) Is Needed to Support the Quest for Sustainable Development? / G. C. Gallopin 367

19 Institutions, Science, and Technology in the Transition to Sustainability / R. B. Mitchell, P. Romero Lankao 387

20 Group Report: Sustainability / A. P. Kinzig, Rapporteur, W. C. Clark, O. Edenhofer, G. C. Gallopin, W. Lucht, R. B. Mitchell, P. Romero Lankao, S. Sreekesh, C. Tickell, O. R. Young 409.

Notes:

"Report of the 91st Dahlem Workshop on Earth System Analysis for Sustainabliity, Berlin, May 25-30, 2003"--Page [ii].

OCLC-licensed vendor bibliographic record.

ISBN:

9780262310635

0262310635

OCLC:

827335302

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.