This publication, Our Fragile World: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development, presents perspectives of several important subjects that are covered in greater detail and depth in the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS). The contributions to the two volumes provide an integrated presentation of knowledge and worldviews related to the state of: Earth's natural resources, social resources, institutional resources, and economic and financial resources. They present the vision and thinking of over 200 authors in support of efforts to solve the complex problems connected with sustainable development, and to secure perennial life support on "The Blue Planet'. These contributions are holistic, informative, forward looking, and will be of interest to a broad readership. This volume presents contributions with focus on the Natural and Social Dimensions of sustainable Development in to two sections: NATURAL SYSTEMS AND RESOURCES (Natural Systems and Climate Change ; - Natural Resources Management). - SOCIO-CULTURAL ISSUES (Human Security, Peace, and Socio-Cultural issues; Equity and Ethical issues).

This volume is an introduction to the study of the earth sciences, a multitude of the earth's composition; geology, which embraces geochemistry, the science the science of the earth's structure; meteorology and climatology, the study of both local and planetary weather; tectonics, the fledgling science of the move ment of sections of the earth, of earthquakes, and of volcanoes; biology and agricultural engineering; the water cycle and reclamation; the chemistry of the atmosphere and the origin of the changes it undergoes; the seas, the oceans, or oceanography; beach movement and deserts; hydrology, the science of water from the viewpoint of the sources of energy; pressure and temperature effects; the crust or lithosphere; the hydrosphere, or water areas; the atmosphere, winds, weather, hurricanes, and cyclones, as well as the technology of tracking them; the interfaces of the sections of the planet, and the uses of the earth by its peoples. The human race has developed on the crust and at the interfaces of the land, air, and sea of an unstable planet - a dynamic geological entity whose thermal equilibrium is still millions of years away. The crust of the earth in its movement and cracking evolves earthquakes and volcanoes which are destructive of human work and limit our habitation. Over the last 1500 years, earthquakes have killed as many people as now inhabit the planet, and fifteen times the present U. S. population.

This publication, Our Fragile World: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development presents perspectives of several important subjects that are covered in greater detail and depth in the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS). The contributions to the two volumes provide an integrated presentation of knowledge and worldviews related to the state of: Earth's natural resources, social resources, institutional resources, and economic and financial resources. They present the vision and thinking of over 200 authors in support of efforts to solve the complex problems connected with sustainable development, and to secure perennial life support on "The Blue Planet'. These contributions are holistic, informative, forward looking, and will be of interest to a broad readership. This volume presents contributions with focus on the Economic and Institutional Dimensions of Sustainable Development in two sections: KNOWLEDGE, TECHNOLOGY, AND MANAGEMENT (Knowledge; Technology and Management ; Economics; Finance and trade). – POLICY AND INSITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (Policy Issues; Institutional implications; Regional Analysis).

In this sweeping work of science and history, the renowned climate scientist and author of The New Climate War shows us the conditions on Earth that allowed humans not only to exist but thrive, and how they are imperiled if we veer off course. For the vast majority of its 4.54 billion years, Earth has proven it can manage just fine without human beings. Then came the first proto-humans, who emerged just a little more than 2 million years ago—a fleeting moment in geological time. What is it that made this benevolent moment of ours possible? Ironically, it’s the very same thing that now threatens us—climate change. The drying of the tropics during the Pleistocene period created a niche for early hominids, who could hunt prey as forests gave way to savannahs in the African tropics. The sudden cooling episode known as the “Younger Dryas” 13,000 years ago, which occurred just as Earth was thawing out of the last Ice Age, spurred the development of agriculture in the fertile crescent. The “Little Ice Age” cooling of the 16th-19th centuries led to famines and pestilence for much of Europe, yet it was a boon for the Dutch, who were able to take advantage of stronger winds to shorten their ocean voyages. The conditions that allowed humans to live on this earth are fragile, incredibly so. Climate variability has at times created new niches that humans or their ancestors could potentially exploit, and challenges that at times have spurred innovation. But there’s a relatively narrow envelope of climate variability within which human civilization remains viable. And our survival depends on conditions remaining within that range. In this book, renowned climate scientist Michael Mann will arm readers with the knowledge necessary to appreciate the gravity of the unfolding climate crisis, while emboldening them—and others--to act before it truly does become too late.

Don Phillips takes the reader on a broad tour of all the issues that are threatening the long-term survival of our coastal fisheries. Don's three years of research for this book have included dozens of interviews with fishery managers and biologists around the country in order to provide a balanced perspective on the health of our marine fish populations. Our Fragile Coastal Fisheries Reviewer Comments: Dan Blanton - Morgan Hill CA - Author and Fishing Consultant "Whether you're an amateur conservationist or a hard-core degreed marine biologist, Our Fragile Coastal Fisheries by Don Phillips is a must read. It details in 10 chapters- ranging from The Ocean Environment to The Road to Recovery - volumes of useful information on the state of our coastal fisheries; where they've been, where they are and what their future holds. The book is a wonderful resource of detailed charts and statistics regarding both recreational and commercial fishing and their impacts upon our coastal fisheries. This book will leave you enlightened, but also with an ominous feeling that we need to change the way we humans are doing things, if our wondrous ocean fisheries are to survive mankind." Chico Fernandez - Miami FL - Author and Fishing Consultant "Don Phillips' Our Fragile Coastal Fisheries exposes us to a huge amount of neat and interesting information on the multi-dimensional problems of our coastal marine fisheries. A must-read for the angler who is truly concerned, and hopefully an inspiration for all of us to lend a hand in any way we can, before it's too late." Ken Hanley - Fremont, CA - Author & Environmental Educator "Education is the key to making good decisions. Don's impressive effort has given the public a valuable tool, to better understand our collective impact on coastal habitat and fisheries. His book showcases the issues everyone needs to address if we're to be effective stewards. It's not about pointing fingers....but, rather about building alliances and taking personal responsibility to achieve a common goal." Ken Hinman - Leesburg VA - Author and President, National Coalition For Marine Conservation "Don Phillips' new book rewards the reader with a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the coastal ecosystems that fish inhabit, and the profound ways in which man's activities affect them. It is a call for a broader approach to the way we manage our fisheries and for a deeper involvement from every one of us. Ultimately, Our Fragile Coastal Fisheries is about how the ocean gives us life, and how we must return the favor." Lefty Kreh - Hunt Valley, MD - Author & Fishing Consultant "Our Fragile Coastal Fisheries" is not a quick read. This book is crammed with incredibly detailed information concerning our threatened coastal fisheries. Everyone who fishes the inshore waters should read this book. But, more important, this is an astonishing tool for anyone who wants to understand the distressed condition of our inshore fisheries --- and how to combat many of the problems. Don Phillips has performed a real service for this resource and those who use or enjoy it." Dr. Carl Safina - Amagansett NY - Author and President of the Blue Ocean Institute "This book is much more than its title suggests. It is really an almanac that puts fishing in big-picture perspective. Its wide-ranging, context-setting information will make anglers smarter - and the fishing experience richer." Lou Tabory - Ridgefield, CT - Author and Fishing Consultant "This book contains a tremendous amount of information pertaining to the condition of our troubled fisheries. Phillips covers all the various effects that have altered the quality of our fishing. The book is a must-read for anglers that want to learn how and why the quality of their fishing has diminished; and some good solutions on h