Beyond Earths Boundaries

On the brink of a critical moment in human history, this book presents a vision of "planetary stewardship" - a rethinking of our relationship with our planet - and plots a new course for our future. The authors, whose work is the subject of a new Netflix documentary released in summer 2021 and narrated by Sir David Attenborough, reveal the full scale of the planetary emergency we face - but also how we can stabilise Earth's life support system. The necessary change is within our power if we act now. In 2009, scientists identified nine planetary boundaries that keep Earth stable, ranging from biodiversity to ozone. Beyond these boundaries lurk tipping points. To stop short of these tipping points, the 2020s must see the fastest economic transition in history. This book demonstrates how societies are reaching positive tipping points that make this transition possible: Activism groups such as Extinction Rebellion, or the schoolchildren inspired by Greta Thunberg demand political action; countries are committing to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions; and one tipping point has even already passed - the price of clean energy has dropped below that of fossil fuels. Inside the pages of this scientifically-led publication, world-leading climate-change experts explain the greatest crisis humanity has ever faced. - Expert-authored text in an accessible style for both adults, and children ages 14+ - A breakdown of the 9 planetary boundaries for relative stability on Earth, ranging from biodiversity to the ozone layer - An exploration of climate "tipping points" - good and bad - Stunning infographics and images visualising the problems and solutions to climate change - Contains detailed and unique images of Earth produced by Globaïa, the world's leading visualisers of human impact

Science is never settled. New revolutionary ideas have always overturned the settled sciences of the past. In this far–reaching book the author looks beyond plate tectonics in order to detail the next earth science revolution. Drawing upon his work from four decades as a professional geologist and researcher the author reveals the weaknesses of conventional plate tectonic theory. This research utilizes an extensive range of global observational data in order to reverse–engineer geology back in time. Reverse–engineering seafloor and crustal geology enables past plate assemblages and configurations of the ancient continents to be accurately constrained using geology rather than geophysics. From this, a series of spherical geological models of the Earth are presented showing the precise locations and configurations of the ancient continents, ranging back in time to the early–Archaean. These plate assemblages represent the first time that models of the ancient Earth have been geologically constrained back to the early–Archaean. An extensive range of additional global observational data are then displayed on the spherical models in order to quantify the location of the ancient poles and equator, climate zones, biogenic distributions, exposed lands and seas, as well as global distributions of hydrocarbon and metallic resources. The research outcomes presented in this book are applicable to all disciplines of the Earth sciences and will appeal to a broad range of professional expertise, in particular those with a grounding in the Earth sciences. It is a must read for undergraduates and professionals alike.

Examines the factors which limit human economic and population growth and outlines the steps necessary for achieving a balance between population and production. Bibliogs

This abundantly illustrated book provides a concise overview of our understanding of the entire mantle, its evolution since early differentiation and the consequences of superplumes for earth surface processes. The book’s balanced authorship has produced a state-of-the-science report on the emerging concept of superplumes. This presents a new concept to explain catastrophic events on Earth through geologic time.